Training to begin on long-COVID detection, treatment for 400 local physicians

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed during his COVID-19 update on Wednesday that top experts from the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, are in Guyana to provide training to 400 local physicians to help them better detect and treat patients with long-COVID.

The minister revealed that generally, between 10 to 20 per cent of persons affected by COVID-19, would have persistent symptoms months after falling ill. This, minister Anthony said is referred to as long-COVID syndrome. The minister revealed that while many Guyanese have recovered from the deadly respiratory disease, many are still experiencing symptoms.

“One of the things that we’re trying to do is to educate physicians so that they can recognise these signs and symptoms, and be able to appropriately treat these patients,” Dr. Anthony said.  Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali, had engaged officials of the hospital during a recent visit to Guyana, requesting that they assist local doctors in understanding long-COVID.

It was revealed that the first training session began on Thursday. Discussions include post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, and unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Anthony noted that the training will allow physicians to be able to provide better treatment options.

“I think this is a very good start -up session, and after the discussions I’m sure that the local physicians would be more aware of long-COVID, what to look for and how to treat long-COVID,” the minister declared.

Minister Anthony pointed out that symptoms of Long-COVID range from mild to severe. He said that they include fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, headaches, depression, anxiety and memory loss.

The health minister revealed that since the pandemic began in Guyana, the ministry has established a multidisciplinary team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where persons experiencing long-COVID symptoms could be tested and treated.