Rauch: “This will significantly improve the care of those affected.”
Vienna (OTS) – The Ministry of Health is making a budget of up to 1 million euros available for the establishment of a National Reference Center for Post-Viral Diseases. It is intended to serve as a central hub for research and promote the exchange between theory and practice. The aim is to improve medical care for those affected based on the latest scientific findings. The call for tenders will be published by the end of March and the award should take place as planned in the summer. ***
At the end of November, Health Minister Johannes Rauch announced that he would implement the recommendations of the Supreme Medical Council (OSR) on medical care for people with post-viral diseases. These include, among others, Long COVID and ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
The central element of the recommendation is the establishment of a national reference center for post-viral diseases. It is intended to improve the exchange between science and practice and thus contribute to improved diagnostics, therapy and care for those affected. The call for tenders is expected to be published in the next two weeks. It includes a total budget of 1 million euros for three years. In the future, the reference center will prepare information for health workers and those affected and also support political decision-making.
The suffering for those affected is great
“Caring for people with chronic illnesses is clearly a social issue. “They have to live with health restrictions in the long term and are often not fully able to work,” says Health and Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch. “For people with Long COVID and ME/CFS, the path to diagnosis and targeted treatment is particularly complicated. With 1 million euros for a national reference center, we are making an important contribution to noticeably improving care for those affected in the future.”
The coronavirus pandemic has given additional importance to post-viral syndromes such as Long COVID and ME/CFS. In Austria it is estimated that up to 80,000 people are affected by ME/CFS alone. Due to the lack of a clear biomarker, the path to a correct diagnosis is still lengthy. Symptoms and treatment options vary greatly. Different disciplines often have to work together to care for those affected.
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