Corona virus: What Lauterbach is planning on Long Covid

Long Covid is still not well researched. There are also many problems with concrete help and treatment. Health Minister Lauterbach wants to take countermeasures – with a lot of money.

Many of those affected felt left alone, says Linda Heitmann, who is responsible for the issue of Long Covid at the Greens: “Especially because they often run from doctor to doctor and are not taken seriously. And also the fact that it is for There is no therapy or medication for this clinical picture, making many very helpless.”

The government actually wanted to remedy the situation and set up a medical network. The SPD, Greens and FDP had made the coalition agreement. So far, however, nothing has come of it, complains Ates Gürpinar, a health politician for the Left Party: “All of this is promised, partially announced and not implemented.”

There is praise from the opposition politician: at least those affected can find information online a page of the Federal Center for Health Education. In addition, a hotline for those affected will soon be launched to provide help.

Special clinics “completely overflowing”

But the actual care is the task of the health system, explains the Federal Ministry of Health. Politicians have obliged medical practices, clinics and health insurance companies to jointly set up the structures for this by the end of the year.

Green politician Heitmann also wants more offers. “At the moment there are special clinics in Berlin or Munich, but the majority of people don’t even make it to Berlin or Munich or these two contact points are completely overcrowded and can no longer make appointments.”

Funding of 100 million euros planned

Long Covid is not always recognized. The disease can have many symptoms: chronic fatigue, nerve pain or shortness of breath. At Techniker Krankenkasse, one percent of the insured were affected in 2021. On average, they were on sick leave for more than three months.

Those affected must be entitled to regular medical care, demands Gürpinar. Rehabilitation offers would have to match the clinical picture, just like the care. It requires special care in nursing. Those affected should be able to say at short notice: “I need care or no care.”

In addition, much is not yet known about Long Covid. Lauterbach therefore wants to fund research projects – more than 16 million euros are planned for last year and this year: “How does Long Covid come about, what can you use to treat it?” According to Lauterbach, there is a need for nationwide, large-scale funding of projects for better care. He wants to plan 100 million euros for this in the coming years, he said ARD Capital Studio. Whether Lauterbach gets so much money in the budget for it is open.

The SPD minister considers it urgently necessary because Corona can result in many more diseases: “We know that the risk of dementia will probably increase with it, and the risk of developing diabetes also increases after a Covid infection, cardiovascular -diseases.” The consequences of Corona will keep the health system busy for a long time, Lauterbach fears – and with it his ministry, where he has set up a working group on Long Covid.