EGPAF-Zimbabwe CCA Project Leads the Charge Against Long COVID

Overview

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many survivors found themselves grappling with a new challenge – the lingering effects of the virus long after their initial recovery. This phenomenon, now known as long COVID, posed new medical and psychological challenges for patients and their communities. In early 2023, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)—through the Catalytic COVID-19 Action (CCA) project funded by UNITAID and FIND—dedicated itself to addressing the needs of Long COVID patients through a comprehensive approach that combined clinical setting interventions, community engagement, and policy change education.

A Long COVID-19 Clinic

At the forefront of EGPAF-Zimbabwe‘s goal was the establishment of the Long COVID-19 Clinic at Wilkins Infectious Disease Hospital in Harare. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to provide specialized care to individuals struggling with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. The clinic was designed to offer a multidisciplinary approach, integrating medical professionals, therapists, and mental health experts all under one roof. EGPAF’s commitment to holistic healing was evident in its focus on treating physical symptoms and addressing the mental and emotional toll of Long COVID-19.

Empowering Healthcare Workers: Training for Excellence

Recognizing the urgent need for qualified healthcare professionals to cater to the unique challenges of long COVID-19 patients, EGPAF initiated an extensive training program. This initiative aimed to equip healthcare workers and health promotors with the knowledge and skills about the long-term effects of COVID-19 and how to screen people for it. At the National level, the EGPAF CCA team conducted a Training of Trainers (TOT) session for 55 multidisciplinary healthcare workers from ten provinces, elevating the standards of care for Long COVID-19 patients in the country, setting a new benchmark for healthcare excellence.

Engaging Communities: Dialogue Events and Radio Sessions

Hilda Bara, the CCA case management and TB/HIV adaptation technical advisor; Letrishah Choruma, the community engagement officer and Patricia Jacobs, Radio Zimbabwe presenter discuss Long COVID on-air. Photo by Thabani p. Gambiza

EGPAF recognized that addressing Long COVID-19 required stakeholder engagement beyond the clinic doors. The organization facilitated a series of community dialogue events to foster a comprehensive understanding and promote community support. These gatherings provided a platform for sharing experiences. EGPAF created a sense of unity and empathy that strengthened the community’s resolve to tackle Long COVID-19.

In addition, EGPAF utilized mass communication channels for broader audiences. The organization-initiated radio sessions on three of the counties frequently listened- to radio stations, 98.4FM, which is a Midlands province-based radio station with a coverage of at least eight of the 63 districts in Zimbabwe; Radio Zimbabwe, which covers almost the whole of the country; and National FM which is multi-linguistic radio and offers programming in most of the minority languages in the country. The radio hosts were dedicated to raising awareness about long COVID-19 symptoms, prevention strategies, and the importance of seeking medical help. These sessions effectively bridged the gap between medical experts and the public, making vital information accessible regardless of background or location.

“The fact that COVID 19 has been declared to no longer be a public health emergency of international concern has resulted in reduced media coverage” said Dr Hilda Bara, EGPAF technical advisor. “This is even though some patients are continuing to experience long term effects of Covid 19. There is therefore a need for a deliberate and intentional drive to make sure that this risk communication and community engagement gap is closed.”

Engaging Key Stakeholders for Policy Change

In July 2023, EGPAF was invited to participate in the first National Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) Technical Working Group (TWG). EGPAF Zimbabwe’s invitation was a huge honor to the CCA team and has a key accomplishment for the staff, an acknowledgment of their technical assistance in response to emergency preparedness and response programming. EGPAF Zimbabwe CCA team plans to actively promote policies that guide the establishment of long COVID-19 clinics nationwide. The team’s involvement in the policymaking process ensures that the lessons learned from establishing the long COVID-19 clinic and community engagement will be shared across the healthcare landscape, fostering a network of support for Long COVID-19 patients nationwide.

Conclusion

EGPAF-Zimbabwe’s dedication to combating long COVID-19 is a testament to their unwavering commitment to addressing the long-term effects of pandemics. EGPAF is confident that their comprehensive approach to addressing long COVID-19 is a model that will be used in other settings.