Millions of South Africa are suffering with symptoms generally known as Long Covid. This growing crisis is shattering lives, disrupting families and has a stigma attached to it. We delve into the human stories of people who have been left to suffer in silence.
Long Covid could reduce annual economic output by 1%, which could translate to billions of rands in economic loss for South Africa, according to 2022 global report by the World Bank. But beyond that, it is shattering lives. Picture: Pixabay“I stopped working in December 2023 because of memory loss and other symptoms of Long Covid . I made mistakes at work and couldn’t keep up. There’s nothing they can do for me, and I’ve had to accept living with it.
This complex, multisystem disorder has become a silent pandemic of its own, affecting millions worldwide, including South Africans. Gabela’s life ground to a halt and the once strong and hard-working mixer in an industrial bakery, spends a big portion of his day unable to function.“Most people don’t understand how it affects your life. I had to educate myself through research to understand what was happening to me.”The human cost of Long Covid goes beyond financial strain. It alters lives, relationships, and mental health.“Even spending four hours outside my home is a risk.
This list grows, and even symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness and disassociation are becoming more common.Despite its prevalence, Long Covid is often underdiagnosed, particularly in South Africa. The reasons are multi-faceted:: Symptoms can appear weeks or months after recovery from Covid-19, making it difficult for patients and doctors to connect the dots.
A 2022 global report by the World Bank estimated that Long Covid could reduce annual economic output by 1%, which could translate to billions of rands in economic loss for South Africa. “We keep Paxlovid for elderly patients in our pharmacy, but it’s not widely available. This speaks to broader inequalities in healthcare access,” says Professor Karim.Symptom-based care: Managing Long Covid often involves treating individual symptoms — such as physical therapy for fatigue or counselling for mental health challenges.
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