The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light significant societal disparities, both within individual societies and among different nations. In the past three years, inequities have become glaringly evident in various aspects, including research capabilities, surveillance infrastructure, and the availability of treatments and vaccines. These discrepancies are particularly stark when comparing high-income countries (HICs) with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Moreover, substantial gaps persist among countries in terms of research efforts and coordinated national responses to address the long-term consequences of COVID-19, commonly known as long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines post-COVID-19 condition as a complex, multi-system ailment characterized by symptoms persisting in individuals for at least three months after recovering from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, with no alternative diagnosis available. Despite the unknown prevalence of the condition, studies suggest that between 10% and 45% of those infected continue to experience lingering symptoms, impacting the functional and cognitive capacities of at least 65 million individuals. Notably, there is a scarcity of research focusing on patient cohorts from LMICs.

Examining the burden of the long-term impacts of the disease in LMICs is crucial for policymakers in establishing adequate access to services, ensuring patients can regain an improved quality of life.1

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References

  1. Jassat, W., Reyes, L. F., Munblit, D., Caoili, J., Bozza, F. A., Hashmi, M., Edelstein, M., Cohen, C., Álvarez-Moreno, C., & Cao, B. (2023). Long COVID in low-income and middle-income countries: the hidden public health crisis. The Lancet, 402(10408), 1115–1117. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01685-9

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