Forgotten in the Shadows of COVID-19: The Silent Suffering of Vulnerable Patients

NephropathyThis is just one group of vulnerable patients called Group 608, which includes people aged 60 and over who suffer from seven chronic diseases, including chronic respiratory disease. cardiovascular disease chronic kidney disease Stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity including pregnant women This group of patients In the last four or five years In addition to having to fight the disease you have, it must also be shaken by epidemics such as Covid-19

At the seminar “COVID-19 situation and the need for protection of populations at risk” organized by the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand and the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand There are medical experts who come to provide the correct understanding.

Mr. Thanaphon Dokkaew, representative of Citizens Network for Health Rights, Health Forum patient group and Kidney Friends Association of Thailand. One of those patients with chronic kidney disease who has been working hard on patients’ rights and well-being for a long time. He himself has first-hand experience.patients with kidney disease they have little immunity There are easily complications from the disease.

When blockedCOVID-19 Therefore, there is a possibility of becoming more seriously ill than the general population. Especially for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease who are on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or who have received a kidney transplant. If you are infected with COVID-19, the mortality rate is as high as 30-40%. Therefore, we dedicate all our energies to vulnerable patients. Receiving government assistance in areas that patients are unable to manage or take responsibility for themselves.

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Thailand’s infection and death statistics are the highest in ASEAN.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phirun Mutsikapan, President of the Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand Revealed that the outbreak of COVID-19 There is still a high rate. From the beginning of 2024 to September 16, 2024, more than 700,000 people have been infected, requiring more than 48,000 hospital admissions and 205 deaths, considered the highest statistic of infections and deaths in Southeast Asia

Assoc Prof. Dr. Phirun further revealed that the 608 group, when he was ill withCOVID-19 They are 2 to 3 times more likely to become seriously ill and 2 to 10 times more likely to die, compared to younger people or those without comorbidities.

“Not only will the symptoms become more severe if infected. But it also affects the pathological state from which the patient suffers. Due to COVID-19 It is not just a respiratory disease. But it is a disease that can manifest itself in many organs. Because the infection can spread throughout the body. It causes complications to various organ systems such as the formation of blood clots. Myocarditis, heart failure, renal failure increase the risk of death.”

The booster dose of the COVID vaccine is still needed.

Forpatients with kidney diseaseWhen infected with COVID-19 The infection attacks various organs. Including the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste from the body.COVID-19 It destroys kidney cells and stimulates inflammation of the kidneys. Reduce the efficiency of the kidneys. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs, so medical experts strongly recommend that vulnerable patients should get a vaccine that will help reduce the severity. It can reduce the mortality rate

Prof. Dr. Sasisofin Kiattiburanakul A representative of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand said that the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is still needed due to COVID-19. There are constant mutations that cause disease in people who have been vaccinated or were infected a long time ago. Existing immunity may not protect against disease. Especially in risk groups. Therefore it is necessary to receive the booster vaccine.

Current data shows that the effectiveness of the booster vaccine is about 60-70% in preventing severe disease and death. Whereas the risk of serious illness and death increases many times in this group of people. This further demonstrates the importance of vaccines in reducing the disease burden in this patient group.

Prevention is better than cure

Mr. Thanaphon expressed his opinion along these lines The government sector should focus on health promotion and prevention of COVID-19. with booster vaccine Especially for groups of people with chronic diseases and people at risk. Most patient groups have been cautious since the outbreak of COVID-19. It is to protect ourselves as doctors and experts advise, which we can do too.

But protecting ourselves with vaccines is beyond our capabilities. Therefore, I would like to appeal to those with relevant duties to help consider and provide sufficient vaccines for people. Although for some people the vaccine may not be necessary, But there is still a need for people with chronic diseases and people at risk.

The government sector should focus on health promotion and prevention of COVID-19. Supporting the booster vaccine Especially for people with chronic diseases. We currently face problems: 1. Inaccessibility of services Not having access to the vaccine. 2. If you have access, you will need to take out a loan. I had to go bankrupt to get medicine If the government sector sees the importance and wants the quality of life of Thai people to be good. I want patients’ quality of life to be good. Reduce the risk of serious illness to the point of requiring hospitalization. When you are infected with COVID once, you have to go to hospital for 7-14 days.

“How much does medical care cost, including medicines, doctors’ fees, medical equipment? This is a huge amount of money compared to cheaper vaccines,” Thanaphon said.