Families have expressed their frustration at being overlooked in a national inquiry concerning children affected by Long Covid, with some claiming that it seems as though their struggles are being disregarded. Many children are facing severe disabilities and confinement to their beds due to the lingering effects of the post-viral syndrome, which parents argue the NHS is failing to acknowledge adequately.
According to parents who shared their stories with the Mirror, the Covid-19 Inquiry revealed that medical professionals were advised not to diagnose children with Long Covid during the pandemic, leading to numerous cases going undetected. Long Covid Kids, a charity supporting over 11,000 families, highlighted the neglect and disbelief faced by these families, accusing NHS practitioners of downplaying the impact on children and focusing mainly on adult cases.
One mother, Harbinder Dhaliwal, disclosed that her three children have been grappling with Long Covid for the past three years, rendering them too unwell to attend school. She emphasized the lack of recognition and support for children with Long Covid, lamenting the toll it has taken on her family’s once active and vibrant life.
Similarly, Jana Touati shared the story of her 15-year-old son, Samir, who now relies on a wheelchair due to Long Covid acquired when schools reopened without adequate safety measures during the pandemic. The struggles faced by these families echo a larger issue of children with Long Covid being overlooked and misunderstood by healthcare providers and educational institutions.
Official data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that a significant number of children have reported Long Covid symptoms after a second Covid-19 infection, but there remains a lack of comprehensive data on the long-term disabilities these children may face due to underdiagnosis.
The testimonies of these families underscore the urgent need for greater awareness and support for children affected by Long Covid, urging authorities to address the challenges faced by these invisible sufferers.