Ged Kearney, the Assistant Minister for Health in Australia, has recognized a crisis within the country’s healthcare system, particularly when it comes to women’s health. Her awareness of this issue was sparked by the tragic death of her cousin, who was sent home by a doctor with only Panadol and later died from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Kearney, who was a nurse for 20 years before entering politics, understands the systemic dismissal of women’s health concerns and the pervasive medical misogyny that contributes to it. She emphasizes that it’s not about labeling doctors as misogynists, but rather acknowledging that the healthcare system has been designed by and for men.
Kearney is determined to change the system and has established the National Women’s Health Advisory Council to address these issues. She has called on women across Australia to share their stories and experiences to highlight the scope of the problem. Already, she has received over 600 responses, revealing heartbreaking stories of women being dismissed or misdiagnosed. One example is an elderly woman who was told her intense pain during sex was due to her age, only to have her appendix rupture three days later. Another story involves mothers whose concerns about their babies were dismissed as “anxious mother syndrome,” leading to delayed diagnoses of serious conditions.
Kearney’s goal is to create a healthcare system where women are believed, feel safe, and receive appropriate treatment. She encourages women to stand their ground and advocate for their own bodies and health. To support her efforts, she urges women to contribute their experiences to the National Women’s Health Advisory Council’s initiative before October 13. The committee will focus on ensuring safety, conducting research, improving access to healthcare, and empowering women. This includes addressing issues related to menopause, cancer care, reproductive health, and cardiovascular disease.
By shedding light on the systemic challenges faced by women in the healthcare system, Kearney hopes to bring about meaningful change and improve women’s healthcare outcomes across Australia.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
