Long Covid: Current Realities, Future Directions: European Parliament, Brussels, September 30. 2025

post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), also known as Long Covid.
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According to the WHO, around 6 in every 100 people infected with COVID-19 develop Long Covid, a condition that typically begins within three months of the initial illness, lasts for at least two months, and is marked by debilitating symptoms ranging from mild to severe, sometimes leading to long-term disability.
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They don't seem to have got beyond the vague definition that lumps all post-illness effects into one bucket.

In the early stages of the pandemic, limited clinical knowledge and inadequate healthcare services meant that Long Covid was often undiagnosed, dismissed, poorly assessed, or inappropriately treated, often leading to frustration, stigma, and worsening health outcomes.
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I'm not sure what makes these people think that anything is materially better for people with Long Covid.

Five years on, the risk of developing PCC has decreased; yet with SARS-CoV-2 still widely circulating, Long Covid remains a significant global public health challenge.

The impact of Long Covid extends far beyond individual health. It affects productivity, reduces workforce participation, and places considerable strain on national healthcare systems. These wide-ranging consequences make it imperative for the EU, its institutions, and Member States to coordinate their efforts - working hand in hand with patient communities - in providing citizens with improved knowledge, treatment, and support. Bridging the gap between scientific progress and patients' everyday realities is essential: advances in diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation must lead to tangible improvements in their quality of life.

This workshop builds on the outcomes of a previous EP event that examined the then-emerging understanding of Long Covid--its clinical profile, its impact on patients and society, and the urgent actions needed to address gaps in knowledge, raise awareness, and advance treatment development.

By bringing together MEPs, researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, communicators, and patient advocates, the workshop seeks to foster a coordinated, multidisciplinary debate on Long Covid. Its goal is to share insights, challenges, and innovations, while informing both citizens and specialized audiences about scientific progress, policy developments, and practical experiences. Ultimately, it aims to contribute developing effective and long-term strategies for addressing Long Covid across Europe.
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I'm not sure why they think the risk of developing PCC has decreased? Maybe the SARS-CoV-2 strains are less effective in producing PCC? I suppose the natural immunity in populations might be reducing infection rates?

It's good that there is some recognition of the 'significant global public health challenge'.


Programme
14:00 - 14:05 Welcome and introductory remarks
  • Laura BALLARIN
    MEP and member of the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA)
14:05 - 14:20 Keynote address - Long Covid: Advances, Open Questions, and Patient-Centred Perspectives
  • Evelina TACCONELLI
    Full Professor on Infectious Diseases and Head of Infectious Diseases Division, University of Verona
14:20 - 14:55 Panel 1: Policy responses at European level on Long Covid
  • Stefan SCHRECK
    Adviser for stakeholder relations, Public Health, Cancer and Health security, DG SANTE, European Commission
  • Aliya KOSBAYEVA
    Technical Officer, Health Workforce and Service Delivery Unit, WHO Europe
  • Frederico GUANAIS
    Deputy Head of Health Division, OECD
  • Diego CASTANARES
    Medical Expert, Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre - KCE
14:55 - 15:05 Q&A session

15:05 - 15:45 Panel 2: Current challenges, best practices and future perspectives in research, healthcare and patient support

Moderated by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, MEP and SANT Committee member
  • Gemma TORRELL VALLESPIN
    Medical Doctor and Researcher, Catalan Health Institute
  • Diewke DE HAEN
    Director, PostCovid NL
  • Gez MEDINGER
    Patient Advocate and Author 'The Long Covid Handbook'
  • Nicole SCHNEIDER
    Dr. med. vet., Long Covid Europe
15:45 - 15:55 Q&A session
15:55 - 16:00 Closing Remarks
Laura BALLARIN
MEP and STOA Panel member
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Can someone explain what this workshop is aiming achieve? What comes next?
I'm a bit concerned that Gez Medinger won't have moved on from that initial belief in the various trendy treatments that were widely publicised in those first years. Is there anyone there on the agenda who will clearly advocate against (or, for that matter, for) BPS approaches?
 
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