In Leipzig, approximately 250 individuals gathered to advocate for the rights and needs of ME/CFS patients. Many participants, hindered by their condition, protested lying down, symbolizing the struggles faced by those affected. Spokesperson Ms. Reidl highlighted the profound isolation experienced by patients and the longstanding neglect of ME/CFS in both research and healthcare. This demonstration is part of a broader initiative marking ME/CFS Awareness Day across 24 German cities. Organizers stress the urgent demand for enhanced medical care, research funding, and social support for patients, who currently lack approved treatments and specialized care.
Recent reports indicate that Long Covid and ME/CFS impose a staggering societal cost of over 60 billion euros annually. Between 2020 and 2024, the cumulative financial burden is projected to exceed 250 billion euros. In 2022 alone, the number of Long Covid cases surged to approximately 2.7 million, while ME/CFS patients are expected to increase from 400,000 to around 650,000 by the end of 2024.
These findings, presented at the ME/CFS conference in Berlin, underscore the urgent need for increased research investment and political support to tackle these under-researched conditions. The demand is clear: more attention must be directed toward understanding and addressing the challenges faced by millions affected by these debilitating illnesses.
