Dáil debates

Thursday, 31 March 2022

Women's Health Action Plan: Statements

 

2:15 pm

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this document, entitled "Listen. Invest. Deliver." For many years, however, none of that was done. In fact, many women were never listened to and there was disinvestment in women's health and society as a whole. As a consequence of that, women's health was subordinate in society and in healthcare.

One of the greatest advocates for women's healthcare in recent times has been Vicky Phelan. Her testimony and life experience have been instrumental in how we deal with women's healthcare. Vicky advocated for something very unique in Irish society, that being, a change in perception and encouraging women to challenge the paternalistic culture that exists in healthcare. It is a top-down culture that looks down on women from the very top. Vicky's input so far has been fantastic.

I wish to speak about this document. It is important that perinatal mental health services have been advocated for. I welcome that there will be more specialists, not only in Dublin but also in Cork. From my understanding of endometriosis, on which I do actually not have much information, a large number of women are not being diagnosed and have had to go elsewhere to get treatment.

My final point is on one of the most important issues and relates to progressing the early detection of breast cancer. There is a very strong argument to be made for lowering the age for breast screening from 50 to 40. There are undoubtedly pros and cons, but a very good argument for lowering the age not only has to do with early detection, but, most importantly, saving women's lives. I urge the Minister, who has just left the Chamber, to consider early detection and to lower the breast screening age to 40.

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