Donegal Councillor Urges Urgent Action for Endometriosis Care

UPDATE: A Donegal County Councillor is urgently calling for a state-of-the-art endometriosis care center as thousands of women across Ireland struggle with inadequate treatment. Cllr Dakota Nic Mheanman, who has battled endometriosis since her teens, highlighted the pressing need for improved healthcare access during a heated debate in the Dáil on October 16, 2023.

This urgent motion, spearheaded by Sinn Féin, is set for a pivotal vote today. Cllr Nic Mheanman emphasized that no woman should have to “fight for her own healthcare,” a sentiment echoed by the alarming statistics revealed in recent surveys.

According to Sinn Féin, over 1,420 responses were collected in an online survey, with 95% of participants reporting missed education or work commitments due to debilitating symptoms. Shockingly, 58% of respondents have suffered for more than 10 years, and nearly half waited over 12 months for a consultation with a gynecologist.

Cllr Nic Mheanman stated, “Endometriosis care in Ireland has failed thousands of women. No one should be forced to fight to be believed, diagnosed, and treated.” This urgent plea underscores a wider systemic failure in women’s healthcare, where it takes an average of nine years to receive a formal diagnosis, leading to severe physical and emotional repercussions.

During the Dáil session, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty shared a harrowing account of a local woman who endured a nine-year struggle to receive a diagnosis, facing constant dismissal and misdiagnosis. “We need to start listening and believing our sisters, mothers, aunties, nieces, and daughters,” he urged. The emphasis on prioritizing women’s health is now more crucial than ever.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill acknowledged the importance of the discussion, advocating for a different approach that establishes regional centers for endometriosis care. “What I am interested in is service delivery and the quickest possible way of ameliorating the sheer lack of service delivery for women’s health,” she stated.

Cllr Nic Mheanman concluded with a powerful message of solidarity: “Sinn Féin will fight with you and for you. We will keep this campaign going until you have the treatment, services, and healthcare you deserve here in this country.”

The outcome of today’s vote could mark a significant turning point in the fight for better endometriosis care in Ireland. The urgency of this issue resonates deeply with countless women who have been waiting too long for the care they need.

Stay tuned for updates as the vote unfolds, and join the conversation on social media to raise awareness about endometriosis care and the urgent need for change.