“Long Covid” and access to the right to health
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 31 January 2025 (9th sitting) (see Doc. 16088, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and
Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Ms Carmen Leyte). Text adopted by the Assembly on
31 January 2025 (9th sitting).
1. The Parliamentary Assembly notes
that “long Covid”, characterised by the continuation of symptoms
or the development of new symptoms three months after the initial
infection with SARS-CoV-2 (which caused the Covid-19 pandemic) and
the persistence of these symptoms for at least two months without
any other explanation, affects a large and growing number of people
across Europe and the world, and it has significant repercussions
for public health, the economy and the quality of life of those
affected.
2. This disease, which manifests itself through a variety of
symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, neurological disorders and other
physical and mental complications, can, in some cases, be comparable
to myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. It poses
major physical and mental challenges, affects social and professional
relationships and leads to increased psychological distress. Patients
are often confronted with a limited understanding of their condition
by the medical community and those around them, making their experience
even more difficult.
3. The Assembly expresses its concern about the socio-economic
impact of this disease, which can be severely disabling for millions
of people and manifest itself as visible or invisible disabilities.
While policy makers and the healthcare sector focused initially
on containing and then preventing a recurrence of the Covid-19 pandemic,
and today concentrate on other emerging health issues, the millions
of long Covid patients have become a huge blind spot.
4. The Assembly regrets that, to date, there is no single, consensual
definition of long Covid, although most countries broadly adhere
to international guidelines. A clearer and more disaggregated definition
of long Covid could help to improve clinical management and to better
target policies.
5. The Assembly also regrets that no solution has yet been identified
to ensure patients’ recovery and long-term healing, as research
to understand the causes and consequences of the disease is still
in its early stages.
6. The Assembly is concerned about the limited access to healthcare
for people with long Covid, resulting from insufficient investment
in biomedical research and weakened healthcare systems. It underlines
that Article 11 of the European Social Charter (
ETS No. 35 and
ETS No. 163
(revised)) enshrines the right to protection of health.
7. The Assembly refers to its
Resolution 2373 (2021) “Discrimination
against persons dealing with chronic and long-term illnesses”, in
which it urged member States of the Council of Europe “to strengthen
capacities for screening and prevention with respect to chronic
and long-term illnesses and to adopt a holistic approach, which
is regularly reviewed and adjusted and involves all sectors of the
administration to promote the well-being of individuals, fight against
inequalities and take vulnerabilities into consideration. The authorities
must fight against diagnostic delays so that, after a certain period,
which should not be longer than one year, each patient is able to
exercise their rights again without hindrance”.
8. Recognising the need to adopt a human rights-based approach
in the fight against long Covid, the Assembly calls on Council of
Europe member States to:
8.1 ensure
sufficient funding for biomedical research so that a common definition
and terminology are established, and effective treatments are available
to ensure an appropriate, safe and sustained recovery that reduces
long-term disability;
8.2 adopt public policies co-ordinated at national level and
defined in collaboration with people suffering from long Covid to
meet their medical, social and professional needs;
8.3 set up transdisciplinary centres of expertise for diagnosis,
treatment and prevention in order to facilitate access to care for
people suffering from long Covid;
8.4 work with the health sector to disseminate information
and provide medical staff with specific training on long Covid;
8.5 run, in partnership with civil society, public awareness
campaigns on long Covid, with a view to gaining an understanding
of the disease which will, in turn, allow those affected by it to
enjoy as normal a life as they can, free from stigmatisation and
with full respect for their rights and freedoms;
8.6 recognise that long Covid should fall within the scope
of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
in order to allow access to social security, disability benefits
and compensatory aids;
8.7 ensure equitable access to healthcare for people suffering
from long Covid, in particular children and young people, and, for
the States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application
of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine
(ETS No. 164, Oviedo Convention), to take the necessary measures
to give effect to the provisions of its Article 3;
8.8 promote flexible policies for patients with long Covid,
both in the workplace and in educational institutions, ensuring
adjustments to enable them to continue their work or education under
appropriate conditions;
8.9 encourage international co-operation in the fight against
this disease.
9. Finally, the Assembly also reiterates its strong encouragement
to the Council of Europe member States which have not yet ratified
the revised European Social Charter to do so as soon as possible.
