The Baptist University on Wednesday launched a programme to provide free Chinese medicine consultations and treatment for elderly patients suffering from long Covid.

The university said people aged 65 or above, who’ve recovered from the coronavirus, can receive up to four free medical consultations – including two face-to-face sessions at the university’s five designated clinics, as well as two online ones.

The patients are also entitled to up to six days of Chinese medicine granules after each consultation.

“If the patient is in stable condition, we don’t want him or her to be wearied of commuting to the clinics … their family members can pick up the medicine for them, or we can deliver to them,” said Alexander Wai, the university's President and Vice-Chancellor.

Bian Zhaoxiang, an associate vice-president on Chinese medicine development at the institution, said he believes four consultations are enough to tackle symptoms associated with long Covid.

“Some of the symptoms like shortness [of breath], cough, or like insomnia, or diarrhea, or dyspepsia… those symptoms are easily reduced with the Chinese medicine treatment – either in herbs or acupuncture,” he said.

Those who wish to join the "Everbright Care Long COVID Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Programme" can sign up online, and present their infection record.

The university says it expects 20,000 to 50,000 people to join the scheme, adding that it may be expanded in future.