The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has opened clinics in nine hospitals in the capital for people with long Covid, or post-Covid syndrome.
Dr Suksan Kittisupakorn, director of the BMA's Medical Service Department, yesterday said some patients may experience long-term effects from Covid-19 such as scarring or a build-up of membranes in the lungs.
Those experiencing long-term effects may include patients with chronic diseases, he said.
In addition, these people may develop breathing difficulty, fatigue, coughs and chest pain despite recovering from the initial Covid infection, he said.
However, they can recover with proper treatment, he added.
Long-Covid clinics have opened at nine hospitals in the capital -- Taksin, Lat Krabang, Sirindhorn, Charoenkrung Pracharak, Ratchaphiphat, Bang Khun Thian Geriatric, Klang, Luang Por Thaweesak Chutinatharo Uthit and Wetchakarunrasm -- he said.
The clinics provide advice and symptom assessment as well as treatment closely monitored by medical experts, Dr Suksan said.
Initially, the department is planning to provide in-patient services to those making an appointment via the Bangkok Fast & Clear (BFC) Centre in each of the nine hospitals as well as expand medical services through the "Mor Kor Tor Mor" mobile app, he said.
Meanwhile, Mahidol University predicts the number of Covid-19 cases in the kingdom will peak this and next month, and its Faculty of Medical Technology is standing by to open additional Covid-19 screening sites.
Prof Chartchalerm Isarankura Na Ayudhya, dean of the faculty, said the university has a policy to develop medical equipment for commercial purposes.
The university has opened labs to run tests on PPE and test kits, he said.