GUWAHATI, Oct 20 - The Apollo Hospitals launched post-COVID recovery clinics in the city to attend to the rising number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but are suffering from mid and long-term persistent effects of the infection.
The clinics at the Apollo Hospitals on GS Road and Apollo Medical Centre on RG Baruah Road will be manned by a team of specialists including neurologists and immunologists to help patients deal with the aftermath of COVID-19.
Dr Sadhan B Das, head, Department of Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati said, �Many patients who have recovered from COVID-19 at our hospital have been contacting us for symptoms that they are having and do not know where to go for remedy. To address these health issues faced by patients who have recovered from COVID-19, we have started the post-COVID recovery clinics. These exclusive clinics for post-COVID care will help patients connect to specialised care.�
Dr Das further said, �If post- COVID issues are not addressed with a special focus, it will lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality beyond the pandemic with a large number of chronically ill individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. The specialised clinics will prevent acute components of the post-COVID syndrome from progressing further and effectively manage the chronic situations which form part of the post-COVID syndrome through a patient-focused, comprehensive, tele-consult and clinic-based programme.�
Dr Kripesh Ranjan Sarmah, senior consultant and head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Guwahati said, �COVID-19 not only attacks the lungs but also other organs in the body and leaves behind lingering health issues.�
Dr Sarmah further said, �Some of the manifestations occur weeks and months after the treatment for acute phase is completed and the patient has recovered and impact the wellbeing of individuals beyond the acute phase. While longer term problems are more common among patients who have been hospitalised, even patients who have recovered from a mild case can suffer from the prolonged effects of the virus. This specialised clinic will enable us to monitor symptoms of patients on an ongoing basis and deliver timely medical attention.�
