Resolution 2591 (2025)1Provisional version

“Long Covid” and access to the right to health

Parliamentary Assembly

1. The Parliamentary Assembly notes that “long Covid”, characterised by the continuation of symptoms orthe development of new symptoms three months after the initial infection with SARS-CoV-2 (which caused theCovid-19 pandemic) and the persistence of these symptoms for at least two months without any otherexplanation, affects a large and growing number of people throughout Europe and the world, and hasconsiderable impacts on 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, neurologicaldisorders and other physical and mental complications, can in some cases be comparable to myalgicencephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. It causes major physical and mental challenges, affects socialand professional relationships, and leads to increased psychological distress. Patients are often confrontedwith a limited understanding of their condition by the medical community and those around them, making theirexperience even more difficult.

3. The Assembly expresses its concern about the socio-economic impact of this disease which can bemassively disabling for millions of people and can manifest itself with visible or invisible disabilities. With policymakers and the healthcare sector focused initially on containing, and then preventing a recurrence of theCovid-19 pandemic and today on other emerging health issues, the millions of patients with “long Covid” havebecome a huge blind spot.

4. The Assembly regrets that, to date, there is no single, consensual definition of “long Covid”, althoughmost countries broadly adhere to international guidelines. A clearer and more disaggregated definition of “longCovid” 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 andcure, as research is still in its infancy to understand the causes and consequences of the disease.

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 points outthat Article 11 of the European Social Charter (ETS No. 35 and ETS No. 163) enshrines the right to protectionof health.

7. The Assembly refers to its Resolution 2373 (2021) “Discrimination against persons dealing with chronicand long-term illnesses” in which it urges member States of the Council of Europe “to strengthen capacitiesfor 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 mustfight against diagnostic delays so that, after a certain period, which should not be longer than one year, eachpatient is able to exercise their rights again without hindrance”.

1. Assembly debate on 31 January 2025 (9th sitting) (see Doc. 16088, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Healthand Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Ms Carmen Leyte). Text adopted by the Assembly on 31 January 2025(9th sitting).

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