Kilkenny TD to host public meeting on an important women's health issue

Sinn Féin TD Natasha Newsome Drennan, will host a public meeting on endometriosis in the Hoban Hotel, Kilkenny tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm.

The event will be held in partnership with Senator Maria McCormack, who has been leading a national campaign on endometriosis awareness and healthcare reform, with Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion also in attendance to hear from patients with confirmed or suspected endometriosis.

The event follows a number of successful public meetings in across the country driven by Senator Maria McCormack and party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD, where women came together to share their stories of living with endometriosis.
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Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects one in 10 women. The Kilkenny meeting aims to continue this vital conversation, and highlight the lack of proper treatment options in Ireland.

“Too many women in Kilkenny – and the South East – have suffered in silence with endometriosis," said Deputy Newsome Drennan. "Again and again, we are hearing about delayed diagnoses, misdiagnosis, inadequate care, and lack of access to proper treatment.

“These delays and dismissals are having devastating consequences on patients, their families and their communities. Senator Maria McCormack and I are hosting this meeting to hear from women, learn from their experiences, and demand better from our health system. We want to support these women’s calls for meaningful change in how the condition is understood, diagnosed and treated”.

Senator Maria McCormack added: “This campaign is only growing stronger. The women I’ve met are tired – tired of not being listened to, tired of travelling abroad for treatment, and tired of being offered inappropriate care like ablation, chemical menopause, or hysterectomies instead of the gold-standard excision surgery.

“We need multi-disciplinary teams and regional centres of excellence. It’s time women were believed – and given the care they deserve.”

The meeting is open to the public, and women affected by endometriosis, their families, healthcare professionals, and local representatives are especially encouraged to attend.