[Long COVID Attack] Collaboration Between Western and Korean Medicine... Post-COVID Sequelae Clinics Opening One After Another

Large Hospitals Provide Symptom-Specific Customized Treatment
Patient Management Through Interdepartmental Collaboration

Exterior view of Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital COVID-19 Recovery Clinic. [Photo by Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the reality of ‘Long COVID syndrome,’ where aftereffects of COVID-19 infection persist for a long time, becomes apparent, medical institutions are opening aftereffect clinics one after another. Not only large university hospitals but also the Korean medicine community have joined forces to manage aftereffects through various methods such as multidisciplinary collaboration and integrative Western and Korean medicine treatment.

According to the medical community on the 27th, Gangnam Severance Hospital recently opened the ‘Long COVID Clinic’ for the treatment of COVID-19 aftereffects, the first among tertiary hospitals in Seoul. Gangnam Severance Hospital plans to provide optimal treatment through multidisciplinary collaboration among professors from various fields such as family medicine, pulmonology, and cardiology. When visiting the clinic, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and pulmonary function tests are conducted to identify the causes of COVID-19 aftereffect symptoms, and patient-tailored treatment is provided based on the test results.

Major university hospitals are also opening COVID aftereffect clinics. Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital launched the ‘COVID-19 Recovery Clinic’ on the 18th, involving professors from family medicine, otolaryngology, infectious diseases, and respiratory allergy departments. Any patient experiencing aftereffects such as cough and fatigue after quarantine release can receive treatment. Eulji University Medical Center also plans to operate a ‘COVID Aftereffect Clinic’ with multidisciplinary participation. Nowon and Daejeon Eulji University Hospitals started treatment from this day, and Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital will begin treatment next month along with bed expansion. Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital also opened a ‘COVID-19 Aftereffect Clinic’ on the 13th.

Myongji Hospital COVID-19 Sequelae Clinic.
Photo by Myongji Hospital

Regional hospitals have also been treating patients by establishing aftereffect clinics. Last month, in the metropolitan area, Hana ENT Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, opened a ‘COVID Recovery Clinic,’ and Myongji Hospital in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, opened a ‘COVID-19 Aftereffect Clinic.’ This month, Seongae Hospital in Yeongdeungpo-gu established a ‘COVID Aftereffect Clinic,’ and The Bon Hospital in Dongjak-gu set up a ‘Long COVID Safe Recovery Clinic.’ The Korean medicine community is also participating in aftereffect clinics. Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital has opened COVID recovery clinics at 21 Jaseng Korean Medicine hospitals and clinics nationwide, providing integrative Western and Korean medicine treatment. Treatments include herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and Chuna manual therapy depending on symptoms, along with imaging tests and vitamin infusion prescriptions.

Professor Seo In-ho of the Family Medicine Department at Gangnam Severance Hospital said, "Long COVID symptoms are more frequently reported among the elderly and women," adding, "Since the risk of severity increases with underlying conditions such as smoking status, asthma, obesity, and diabetes, if certain symptoms persist for a long time, it is advisable to visit a clinic for examination."