Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals on Monday launched a clinic for people who have recovered from Covid-19, many of whom are suffering from complications such as lung fibrosis, heart ailments, neurological problems and arthritis.

The clinic will run between Monday and Saturday, alongside the regular OPD services.

Syamasis Bandyopadhyay, the director of medical services at the private hospital, said anyone suffering from persistent problems after recovering from Covid-19 could visit the clinic. He said elderly people or those with comorbid conditions were at greater risk, but complications were found in others, too.

Even those who recovered at home and were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic could visit the clinic and get themselves checked, he said.

“Covid-19 is not a disease of two weeks in all cases. It is leaving behind footprints in many patients even after they have recovered,” said Bandyopadhyay. “We have a patient who is now admitted in the hospital with arthritis (after recovering from Covid). Lung fibrosis is the most common footprint of Covid-19. Other post-recovery complications are lack of strength in legs.”

A doctor at the hospital said fatigue and shortness of breath were the most common post-recovery problems, while lung fibrosis was the most dreaded. “For shortness of breath and fatigue, we are recommending breathing exercises,” said the doctor.

A doctor in another hospital said lung fibrosis meant that the tissues of the lungs were scarred. “It has been found that those who received delayed treatment are having lung fibrosis. Some of them could need lifelong oxygen support,” he said.

Rana Dasgupta, the chief executive officer (eastern region), Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, said many Covid patients contacted them following recovery because of complications. “Many patients who have recovered from Covid-19 at our hospitals have been contacting us for symptoms they are having and not knowing where to go. To address these issues we have set up the clinic, he said.

Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients are consulting doctors online after they test positive as there is a bar on them stepping out of home for 17 days after the onset of symptoms. “It is advisable that they consult a doctor in-person once after recovery,” said Bandyopadhyay.

A few other private hospitals in Calcutta are running similar clinics. Arafat Faisal, the head of medical services at Fortis, where a similar clinic functions, said they were usually asking patients for two or three follow-up checks depending on the severity of the disease.