The European Commission is stepping up to tackle long COVID with a new 2-million-euro ($2.2 million) project launching this Tuesday! 🚀
Long COVID has been a lingering issue, affecting around 36 million people across Europe in the first three years of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). That's a huge number! 😮
This condition has not only impacted the health of millions but also hit the EU economy hard. It's estimated to have cost the EU 0.2% to 0.3% of its gross domestic product in 2022 due to reduced labor supply. That's some serious cash! 💸
The project will be funded by the EU4Health program and managed by the WHO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Talk about teamwork! 🤝
So, what's the plan? The project aims to:
- Define what exactly long COVID is 🧐
- Develop a surveillance system to keep track 🕵️♂️
- Promote information exchange among healthcare professionals 🏥
- Provide clinical guidance to EU member states 📚
- Support affected patients and carers ❤️
- Assess the consequences of long COVID and spot research gaps 🔍
Plus, the European Commission is creating a group for professionals and patients to share their experiences. Community vibes! 🌐
Let's hope this initiative brings some much-needed relief and answers for everyone affected. Stay strong, Europe! 💖
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
