The Australian Government will provide a further $50 million from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for research into post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) – commonly known as Long COVID.
This is in addition to funding that has already been provided for research related to Long COVID, including more than $13 million from the MRFF, $1.6 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and $5 million to the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies.
This new funding will help improve our knowledge of Long COVID in the Australian context and generate evidence to inform policy and clinical guidance, improve health outcomes, and increase awareness of the condition in the community. The first grant opportunity is expected to open in August 2023.
The Government is committed to supporting a strong healthcare system that will deliver effective patient-centred care for people diagnosed with this condition, and the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for patients.
The funding comes as the final report from the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID Infections was tabled in the Australian Parliament today.
The committee, chaired by Dr Mike Freelander MP, made a number of recommendations in its final report, which was informed by more than 560 submissions and testimonies from a wide range of sources.
The Government thanks Dr Freelander and other committee members for their efforts in conducting the inquiry.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has been tasked with developing a national plan to respond to Long COVID, taking into consideration the committee’s findings.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Long COVID is an emerging health issue, both in Australia and internationally.
“I thank Dr Freelander and his committee for conducting this important inquiry.
“The Australian Government will invest $50 million into research into Long COVID – as an initial response to the inquiry.
“I have tasked my department with developing a national plan to respond to Long COVID, taking into consideration the committee’s findings.”
