Deadline looming to add opinion: Public called upon to send comments about women's health care in Outaouais

Tashi Farmilo

Organizations Action Santé Outaouais (ASO) and AGIR Outaouais, in collaboration with their partners in Ensemble pour le droit à la santé, are urging residents of the Outaouais region to take part in an important initiative aimed at improving women’s health. A questionnaire, available until December 1, invites community members to prioritise challenges and propose solutions identified during a discussion evening held earlier this fall.

On September 26, the Maison du citoyen in Gatineau hosted a pivotal conversation on the state of women’s health in Outaouais. The event brought together participants to explore four key themes: reproductive health, sexism and medical racism, mental health, and access to healthcare. Through open dialogue and collaboration, attendees highlighted pressing issues and brainstormed potential solutions.

The questionnaire now circulating across the community consolidates the ideas and concerns raised during these discussions. It asks respondents to rank their priorities, shedding light on which challenges require the most urgent attention from organisations like ASO, AGIR, and their partners. The issues at hand include systemic barriers in accessing care, the overburdened healthcare network, and the need for more inclusive and empathetic medical practices. Respondents are also encouraged to provide comments and suggestions, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the community's needs.

Organisers stress the importance of broad participation, underscoring that improving women’s health is a collective responsibility that benefits everyone. By taking a few moments to fill out the survey and share it within their networks, residents can directly influence future advocacy and resource allocation in the region. The hope is that this engagement will drive meaningful change, leading to more equitable, efficient, and compassionate healthcare for women across Outaouais.

To participate in this initiative, the questionnaire is available at https://lnkd.in/dPxv4EHM. Action Santé Outaouais stresses the importance of community engagement in addressing the disparities and challenges faced by women in navigating the healthcare system, noting that women’s health is a shared concern impacting families, communities, and society as a whole.