‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ‘a e fakamatala faka-Tonga
Kiwis experiencing Long Covid often find that doctors dismiss, ignore, or downplay their unusual symptoms, a latest nationwide Covid-19 study has revealed.
One in five participants reported having symptoms of Long Covid including shortness of breath, muscle aches, brain fog and joint pain according to an article published today by Victoria University of Wellington.
However, co-leader of the research Dr Mona Jeffreys says these Kiwis are not feeling heard.
“About half felt the healthcare they received wasn’t adequate and reported not feeling listened to or understood,” says Jeffreys.
The results of this study has prompted recommendations that call for the Government to develop a consumer-led Long Covid service, integrated with primary health care services.
Those with a pre-existing heart disease or a high body mass index (BMI) were also found to be more at risk of developing Long Covid.
The study’s other major findings were around groups who reported feeling disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.
They found that Māori, Pasifika and disabled people faced more emotional and physical challenges due to Covid-19 than other participants.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone but it’s had much greater health, social, and financial impacts on populations that are already significantly disadvantaged,” says study co-leader Dr Lynne Russell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou).
These groups were reported more difficulty accessing their GP, higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic as well as financial stress resulting from Covid-19.
Information for the study was collected from people who caught Covid-19 before December 1st 2021 and included in depth interviews with 52 people, commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
Fakamatala faka-Tonga
Ko e kau Kiwi ko ia ‘oku nau fa’a puke he Long Covid ‘oku nau fa’a ‘ilo ‘a hono faka’ikai’i, fakatutkutuku’i pe fakama’ama’a’i ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga ‘ikai angamaheni ‘oku nau ma’u fakatatau ‘eni ki ha fakatotolo fakaako fakafonua ki he Koviti kuo toki tuku mai ‘i hano pulusi ‘e he ‘Univesiti Vikatōlia ‘i Uelingatoni.
Ko e ngaahi ola ‘o e fakatotolo ni kuo ne fakavave’i ha ui ki he pule’anga ke fa’u ha sēvesi ki he Long Covid kau atu ki ai ‘a e primary health care services. Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he fakatotolo ko kinautolu ne nau ‘osi puke he mahaki mafu pe toto ma’olunga ne nau ‘i he tu’unga laveangofua ange ke nau ma’u ‘a e Koviti Taungaloloa pe Long Covid.
Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he sitati ko ‘eni’ ha ngaahi kulupu na’e lipooti ‘enau ongo’i ‘ikai tu’otu’otatau hono ma’u kinautolu ‘e he Koviti-19.
Na’e ‘ilo ai ko e kau Māori, Pasifika mo e kakai mamatea’ ne nau fehangahangai mo e ngaahi pole ne loto ue’ingofua ange mo fisikale tu’unga he Koviti-19, ‘ia kinautolu kehe ne kau’.
Na’e uesia ‘e he penitemiki Koviti-19 ‘a e taha kotoa ka ne kovi ange i he falukunga kakai ne ‘osi fusimo’omo lahi ‘i he’ene mo’ui, sosiale mo ‘enau tu’unga fakapa’anga’.
Ko e ngaahi kulupu ko ‘eni na’e lipooti ‘a ‘enau faingata’a’ia ange ke lava sio ki he’enau GP, lahi ange ‘enau ongo’i lotomo’ua pea mo e loto ta’ota’omia kau ai mo e situlesi tupu mei he Koviti-19.
