HEALTH
SA OUTLOOK
Graph 1: Long-Covid Symptoms are wide-ranging. They include
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Respiratory symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Cardiovascular symptoms
Musculoskeletal symptoms
Neurological symptoms
General symptoms
Nausea
Delirium
Fever
Anxiety
Coughing
Chest tightness
Muscle pain
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Fatigue
Depression
Difficulty breathing
Palpitations
Joint pain
Diarrhoea
Headaches
Pain
Sleep Disorder
Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Stiffness
A clear company vision is needed on COVID-19
the importance of taking into account the type of
with written policy to demonstrate commitment
work being done by the worker; together with the
and dedication to workplace health and safe-
amount of working hours to ascertain what aspect
ty. Employers may prepare for this by reviewing
of the job may be affected by any possible func-
their existing policies to cater for Long COVID in
tional impairments found. This is to determine if a
their workplaces, through their HR, legal and oc-
worker is able to do all aspects of their job effec-
cupational health services. It is important to note
tively and safely.
that the management of Long COVID cuts across
Long-COVID sufferers are diagnosed within
many disciplines and a multidisciplinary approach
workplaces therefore businesses in South Africa
is needed to address this effectively.
and across the globe need to find solutions to em-
Dr Neil van Tonder, Chief Medical Officer, for
ployee return-to-work challenges to enable them
eHealth Africa provided some insightful consid-
to effectively and safely perform their work. Due
erations for workplaces on Long-COVID when
to the varied symptoms that Long-COVID sufferers
he recently presented at a webinar hosted by the
may have, workplaces will need to look at different
National Institute for Occupational Health – a divi-
strategies to accommodate workers. For workers
sion of the National Health Laboratory Service - in
with physical impairments; these could include
April this year. He indicated that companies should
possible task specific restrictions like no climbing
consider an Occupational Health Evaluation for
on ladders, or limiting physical workloads. Other
COVID-19 patients. This medical evaluation would
considerations could include remote working ar-
include a medical and occupational history includ-
rangements and working flexible hours. The need
ing the type of job the worker currently performs,
for employers to provide access to Employee As-
COVID-19 screening tools, appropriate medical
sistance Program (EAP) to address mental health
examinations and where necessary additional
amongst other matters, should also be considered.
medical assessment such as occupational thera-
With South Africa in the 3rd wave of COVID-19,
pist services for functional assessments to evaluate
it is therefore imperative that employers, legal and
a worker’s fitness for duty. He further explained
HR experts keep abreast with current affairs in
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