“PREVENTION OF COVID-19”. A Report by Sub-Working Group 1 (SWG1) of the ad hoc Working Group (WG) on COVID-19 of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), completed and submitted to UEMS Council on 27 April 2022.
In this report we consider the questions:
- What are the salient characteristics of the current pandemic?
- What have been the deficiencies in our combating it to date?
- What response is needed, so that we mitigate it more drastically and possibly eradicate this and future pandemics caused by respiratory pathogens?
This Report is addressed primarily to physicians of all specialties, all UEMS Sections, National Medical Associations, national civil services involved in preventive health activities, Ministries of Health, Labour and Health in European countries, European Medical Associations, the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the Council of Europe, the WHO, the ILO, the UNESCO.
The report develops 10 key messages which we wish to be taken, among which we call for empowering the population in increasing their preparedness and resilience in case of new epidemics through community education i.e. health education of the whole population at all levels, so that a few aspects.
We also stress out that in regard to long COVID-19, there is a need for European and national follow-up studies, and establishment of adequate long covid services, such as inpatient or outpatient clinics, within primary health care services, including guidelines thereon.