NEW DELHI: As the impact of Covid-19 lingers globally, India’s healthcare system is confronting a significant challenge in diagnosing and treating long Covid cases, where patients experience persistent symptoms months after infection. Despite the World Health Organization’s declaration that Covid is no longer a global emergency, doctors and researchers in India face a daunting task as limited local studies and guidelines hamper effective management of these cases.
In India, estimates suggest that around 45% of recovered Covid patients continue to experience symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog months later. Yet, the lack of dedicated studies and clinical guidelines in the country forces doctors to navigate these cases with minimal resources. This gap contrasts with global efforts—research from Harvard, the University of Oxford, and Shiv Nadar University, for instance, explores potential underlying causes like autoimmune responses and vascular impacts, but India’s local studies remain scarce.
Some promising developments are underway. Shiv Nadar University recently introduced an innovative fluorescent probe to detect cellular changes linked to long Covid. But without more robust, localized data, the path to consistent, evidence-based treatment in India remains challenging. Patients are also finding few dedicated clinics for specialized long Covid care in India, unlike cities in Europe and North America where such services are increasing.
As doctors and researchers push for more research funding and comprehensive guidelines, experts agree that more needs to be done to ease the burden on India’s healthcare system and offer effective treatment for those struggling with long Covid.
C6N Web Team, New Delhi
