Gov't Drafts Guidelines for Post-COVID Treatment

The government has developed guidelines for the treatment of post-COVID conditions. Dr. Ivan Kimuli, the head of Clinical Services at the Institute told journalists at a media briefing that they have been receiving daily visits from individuals with symptoms related to post-COVID effects. 

Many of them complain of a persistent cough that does not respond to treatment and breathing problems, leading some to rely on inhalers for relief.  

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While the exact number of people experiencing these complications is still unknown, the government has prepared treatment guidelines that will be released next month. Health workers have also been trained to staff post-COVID clinics set up at regional referral hospitals.

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According to the World Health Organization, post-COVID conditions, also known as Long COVID, encompass over two hundred documented symptoms, with variations among individuals. In children, symptoms may include fatigue, altered sense of smell, and anxiety.  

These conditions typically occur in individuals with a history of confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection when experiencing symptoms lasting at least 2 months, initially occurring within 3 months of acute COVID-19. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimated that by the end of 2021, 145 million people had developed post-COVID conditions, with 15.1% of them experiencing persistent symptoms a year after infection onset. 

In Uganda, the exact number of cases is unknown, but clinics, such as the one at Mulago Specialised Referral Hospital, have been treating a significant number of people with respiratory illnesses as a result of post-COVID complications. The long-term effects of COVID-19 remain unclear.

Researchers are studying cases of individuals who recovered from COVID-19 in early 2020 but are still experiencing side effects.  It's uncertain whether these complications are a result of the acute respiratory disease itself or the drugs used in treatment, and they may be related to how the body responds to the infection.