By Cathy Maulidi
A study which Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) research associate Rosanie Daud Malolo has conducted indicates that 44 percent of people who survived Covid are still facing post-Covid conditions.
The conditions include persistent headaches, fatigue, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, joint or muscle pain, chest pain, dizziness, loss of taste and smell, having difficulties in walking and anxiety.
She told The Daily Times, after making the research findings public, that 44 percent of people who recovered from Covid are still struggling with post-conditions.
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“The research has found that others are still experiencing persistent coughing, memory loss and many other conditions but many are not visiting hospitals as they are just treating them using natural remedies such as herbs.
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“This is why the study has recommended that the Ministry of Health and stakeholders should develop and agree on clinical guidelines for health workers to identify those with post-conditions and respond accordingly,” Malolo said.
The findings further indicate that there is a need to identify multidisciplinary approaches to manage patients with post-Covid conditions, citing mental health and physical conditions.
“We have also emphasised the need to raise awareness on the existence of post-Covid conditions in order to support health-seeking behaviour and self-medication [practice],” she said.
study—Pictures by Cathy Maulidi
Meanwhile, Malawi Environment Health Association President Save Kumwenda has said the research findings have come at a good time.
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“It is a very interesting study, which informs us that there are these conditions and that we should think of them when treating survivors of Covid. It is high time we considered these issues because people out there are suffering from post-Covid conditions. Other people have had their lungs affected after Covid and, as such, it is a very important study,” Kumwenda said.
Reacting to the study findings, Chief Public Health Officer in the Ministry of Health Holystone Kafanikhale described the study findings as informative.
He said healthcare workers would now be treating Covid survivors expertly.
“This also gives us a lesson to follow up on Covid patients after discharge to understand what is happening to them after they recovered. So, we will find best strategies and see how best those patients can be assessed regularly,’ Kafanikhale said.
Malawi registered 88,432 confirmed cases of Covid, with 85,337 people recovering from the disease and 2,686 patients dying.
