PETALING JAYA: Some Covid-19 long haulers may qualify as disabled if a registered medical practitioner finds that they fulfil the criteria for certification as a person with disability (PWD).

       Hospital Sungai Buloh rehabilitation medicine department head Dr Akmal Hafizah Zamli said the registration for PWD with the Welfare Department is based on the degree of function affected, and not based on the medical diagnosis or disease.

       “Hence, if the Covid-19 long hauler is disabled and fulfils the criteria for certification as a PWD by a registered medical practitioner, he or she can be recognised as one.

       “However, this is not a decision under the Health Ministry,” she told The Star.

       As many long haulers are unable to return to work, countries like the United States have recognised long Covid-19 symptoms as a disability under federal law so that they qualify for services.

       In November 2021, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Health Ministry is working with the Human Resources Ministry and other groups to give better care to people with long Covid-19 symptoms.

       These include providing rehabilitation equipment and Social Security Organisation (Socso) payments to those who are eligible in the future.

       Dr Akmal Hafizah said that collaboration between the Health Ministry’s Rehabilitation Medicine Services and Socso has been ongoing.

       “These include, but are not limited to, initiatives such as the empowerment of survivors with impairments under the Socso Return to Work (RTW) Programme, provision of intensive and holistic care based on the survivor’s unique requirements and supporting those clinically indicated with appropriate rehabilitation aids and devices,” she said.

       Financial benefits are also available for those who qualify, while some insured individuals can also be enrolled for intensive programmes provided at the main Perkeso Tun Abdul Razak Rehabilitation Centre in Melaka or at satellite branches.

       “Long Covid-19 survivors are referred for confirmation of eligibility for these services or benefits by rehabilitation medicine clinicians at the Health Ministry using the online INSPIRE system,” said Dr Akmal Hafizah.

       The Health Ministry is also currently continuing to research long Covid-19, with one upcoming study involving nationwide data collection using the MySejahtera app platform, she said.

       “It is research by infectious diseases physicians and the Institute for Clinical Research and Centre of Disease Control titled ‘Long Covid in Malaysia: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study’.

       “It will involve nationwide data collection using the MySejahtera platform and has received approval from the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC).

       “It is currently being incorporated into the MySejahtera app and is expected to be rolled out soon,” she said.

       Despite the various programmes put in place by the government to help long Covid-19 patients, Dr Akmal Hafizah said the best way to avoid long Covid-19 is to prevent an infection.

       She advised Malaysians to continue strict adherence to Covid-19 standard operating procedures, get vaccinated and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

       “This is the best way to prevent Covid-19 and protect those around you,” said Dr Akmal Hafizah.