Chronic care during COVID-19

How to take care of your chronic condition during COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we socialise, how often we wash our hands, and how far we stand away from others (about 1.5 metres). Many things have changed, but at least one thing has stayed the same: you need to keep taking your medicine and keep talking to your treating doctor if you have a chronic condition.

It’s more important than ever to take care of your health

Chronic conditions are long-lasting conditions that you can manage with medicine, but you can’t cure. They include conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Having a chronic condition increases your risk of developing COVID-19 complications if you become infected with SARS-CoV-2. The better you manage your chronic condition by taking your medicine and monitoring your condition, the better your general health and resistance against disease.

Practical tips for safe chronic care during COVID-19

Call before you visit a healthcare facility

Inform healthcare providers about your chronic condition. If you call ahead, you could have a virtual consultation with your doctor instead of meeting in person, or they will make special arrangements to help keep you safe.

Ask your pharmacy to deliver your medicine

To stay as healthy as possible, you have to keep taking your medicine. Even if you usually collect your medicine, ask your pharmacy if they can deliver it.

Register for the Chronic Illness Benefit

If you have a chronic condition on the Chronic Disease List, you should register for the Chronic Illness Benefit so we pay for specific medicine and treatment without using your day-to-day benefits. All you and your doctor have to do is fill in a Chronic Illness Benefit application form.

Learn more about the Chronic Illness Benefit on our website.