"Long COVID could cast a decade long-shadow" is the warning a doctor from the University of Otago has issued and is urging officials to act now.
Dr Rob Griffiths who works in occupational rehabilitation and returning to work warns Long COVID could be with us for decades once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
"At least one in five people expected to experience symptoms more than three months after being infected with COVID-19, Government agencies should urgently develop plans to provide ongoing support."
He said the effect Long COVID would have on Aotearoa's healthcare system would be far more reaching than COVID-19 itself.
"If the acute phase of COVID-19 can be compared to a tsunami of healthcare need, Long COVID will be a subsequent flood of Noah-like proportions,"
"The addition of Long COVID to New Zealand's existing chronic disease burden is likely to be significant, and we don't yet know how large the problem will be, there are so many unknowns," he added.
Griffiths said while people with Long COVID could be supported to manage it themselves, many will need additional support from their community and primary care.
"We urgently need to look at how you bring all those services together, not just health services, but also social support and disability services."
Griffiths highlighted the fact the United States is setting up Post-COVID outpatient centres across the country and he believes Aotearoa should do the same.
He said The Ministry of Health is reviewing its framework for services for people with Long COVID.
Griffiths is hosting a symposium next week which will see a range of healthcare professionals come together to speak at length on what Aotearoa's response to Long COVID could look like.
He hopes the Ministry of Health can take on some of the perspectives that will come from the symposium.
"The symposium will be a timely opportunity to share our collective expertise and gain more clarity about early identification, initial support and rehabilitation service needs of people living with COVID."
