Swiss action on ME/CFS and Long-COVID

The Swiss Council of States has passed legislation, initiated by National Council member Lorenz Hess, launching a national strategy covering ME/CFS and long-COVID. The fact that the proposal was adopted without discussion in both chambers of the Swiss Federal parliament demonstrates that the need for action was recognised as both urgent and necessary by Swiss politicians

The Federal Council, in collaboration with relevant organizations, specialists, cantons, social security agencies (OFAS), hospitals, and stakeholders it deems relevant, is tasked with developing a national strategy for myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and for long COVID. The objective of this strategy is to ensure that patients suffering from ME/CFS, long COVID, and post-vaccination symptoms receive the same quality of medical care throughout Switzerland. Achieving this goal requires early diagnosis of the disease, appropriate treatment based on the latest scientific knowledge, equal access to medications and therapies with proven effectiveness, and adequate support from social security agencies. Effective coordination among specialists, the use of information and communication technologies for knowledge transfer, and collaboration between the relevant authorities at the federal and international levels are the necessary prerequisites.

In the supporting text to the legislation it was narrated that in Switzerland, approximately 60,000 people are affected by ME/CFS with more than 300,000 people affected by long COVID. A large proportion of these are expected to receive a diagnosis of ME/CFS in the coming years, not to mention that the number of cases will only increase in the future due to on-going COVID-19 exposure.

In particular, the national strategy will involve all relevant stakeholders and include :

• Safeguarding and disseminating knowledge in the fields of diagnosis, care provision, and therapy;
• Optimal collaboration between the various stakeholders: specialists, those responsible for basic health insurance, patient organizations, and competent health authorities;
• Equal treatment regarding access to effective diagnosis and therapy, and support for research in this area;
• Adequate recognition and support from social security systems and their experts;
• Promotion of basic and clinical research;
• Support for national or cantonal coordination services for those affected;
• Centralization of data relating to ME/CFS and long-term COVID-19;
• Collaboration with European or international reference centers and networks;
• Guaranteed funding by the Confederation and the cantons.

Due to the constitutional arrangements within the Swiss Federation, the Federal Council confirmed its willingness to develop a national strategy to improve the medical situation of people suffering from ME/CFS, post-COVID-19 illnesses, or long-term post-vaccination sequelae. To this end, it will collaborate with the stakeholders responsible for organising healthcare, particularly the 26 Swiss cantons and medical professional associations. However it warned that “… due to the cost-cutting measures to be implemented, the development and coordination of this strategy by the Federal Office of Public Health will be at the expense of resources devoted to addressing other healthcare-related issues.”

The Federal Office of Public Health plans to launch work on a national strategy in January 2026 and, in close consultation with stakeholders, a comprehensive strategy by the first half of 2027.

Chronic fatigue symptoms have a profound impact on the social, professional and even family life of the people affected …. We need to improve their situation.”

The Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider