The Covid-19 pandemic has thankfully ended. There is a great sigh of relief, but for a good number of Covid-19 survivors, the “remnants” of Covid-19 continue to lurk as their bodies betray them after contracting Covid-19—like gasping for breath after a minor exertion, even after laughing.
The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically impacted millions of people around the world. The Department of Health has reported that the recovery rate of the disease is 98% in the country. Though this may appear promising, symptoms can still persist long after the infection. Across the Philippines, many are silently fighting an invisible war called Long Covid, a condition that lingers after the catastrophic wave of the pandemic.
Long Covid is a chronic debilitating condition that manifests after a Sars-COV-2 infection and can last for months or even years. It is also called “Post-Covid condition.” There have been 200 recorded symptoms of the condition, but the common manifestations include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), heart palpitations, dizziness, muscle aches, alterations in taste and smell, sleep impairment, and worsening of symptoms after minimal exertion (post-exertional malaise). Medical conditions affecting various organs of the body (e.g., kidney, heart, gastrointestinal tract, lungs) have also been reported post-Covid.
Long Covid symptoms can become severe enough to cause disability, affecting daily life and employment. Anyone who has had a Covid-19 infection can develop Long Covid.
Estimates of Long Covid patients around the world continue to emerge. The WHO (2025) reckons that around 6 in 100 people with Covid-19 develop post-Covid-19 symptoms. To date, 65 million people are estimated to be affected by Long Covid globally.
Ironically, despite this number, the greater population and even health professionals are unaware that there is such a disease called Long Covid and its devastating impact on the lives of those afflicted with it.
In response to this emerging health challenge, Health Futures Foundation Inc (HFI), has spearheaded initiatives to raise awareness about Long Covid through webinars and promote access to health care services through patient navigation.
Patient support groups have been established by HFI to provide a vital space for patients and their families to connect and share their experiences about their journey together with a Long Covid consultant. Those interested in joining the support/advocacy group can register using this link: https://bit.ly/LCSGform.
Additionally, HFI has developed a registry of multidisciplinary Long Covid consultants, which Long Covid patients seeking management can refer to. The registry can be accessed through this link: https://bit.ly/longcovidregistry.
Finally, HFI is spearheading the committee for a Long Covid Philhealth benefit package, together with a multidisciplinary specialty organization.
Health Futures Foundation Inc was founded in 1998 by Dr. Jaime Z. Galvez Tan. It is a non-stock, non-profit NGO that champions access, quality, and equity in health through wellness programs and capacity building in rural communities.
Banner image shows ‘Long Covid Conversations’ organized by HFI, which connects Long Covid patients with healthcare professionals and the public