Health Ministry monitoring around 12,000 recovered Covid-19 patients for Long Covid symptoms, says KJ

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will continue to monitor some 12,000 recovered Covid-19 patients for Long Covid symptoms, including at a comprehensive rehabilitation programme in Hospital Sungai Buloh.

In a parliamentary written reply, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin revealed that a total of 12,654 discharged Covid-19 patients were given appointments for follow-up treatment at health facilities, for monitoring purposes and treatment of Long Covid symptoms.

"From November 2020 to July 31, 2021, a total of 2,388 Category 4 and 5 patients from Hospital Sungai Buloh have been referred to this specific service, encompassing follow-up treatment through teleconsultation and physical follow up treatment.

"Of these total, 1,545 (64.6%) had experienced Long Covid symptoms.

"In terms of outcome, 41.2% of Long Covid patients recover from their symptoms after four weeks being discharged from the hospital," he told Lim Kit Siang (PH-Iskandar Puteri) who asked for full details about Long Covid complications in the country.

The Health Minister explained that there were two stages of Long Covid.

The first is the ongoing symptomatic Covid-19 symptoms, where patients still experience the signs and symptoms of Covid-19 during the period between four to 12 weeks.

The second is the post-Covid-19 syndrome, where the symptoms can last more than 12 weeks and could not be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

Khairy said based on the follow-up monitoring of the patients, the most common symptoms were fatigue (79.2%), breathing difficulties when performing certain activities (52.6%), coughs (17.2%), insomnia (14.6%) and anxiety (10.6%).

"The comprehensive rehabilitation services specific to Long Covid patients are conducted at the Hospital Sungai Buloh.

"The Health Ministry will continue to monitor and provide treatment for Long Covid patients who have any indication, based on the post-Covid-19 management protocol," he added.