November 8, 2024
Our healthcare system has failed women, with some facing significant challenges getting diagnosis and treatment–and it needs to end. A Nova Scotia Liberal government will implement a multi-pronged approach to deliver a better deal for women’s health across the province.
“Women make up 50 percent of our population, but only eight percent of medical research is focused on them,” said Liberal Leader Zach Churchill. “There’s no question that there is a gap in women’s healthcare. A Nova Scotia Liberal government will take meaningful steps to ensure a gender lens is applied to the delivery of healthcare, and a blueprint is adopted for improving women’s health in Nova Scotia.”
To improve women’s health in Nova Scotia, a Nova Scotia Liberal government would:
- Create a Minister of Women’s Health: Women deserve better from our healthcare system. By naming a minister of Women’s Health, our government would ensure that specific health issues like endometriosis and ovarian cancer are given the attention and resources they deserve.
- Close the Gap on Women’s Health Research: A Nova Scotia Liberal government would require 50% of all research funding in the province be used to study women’s health. In addition, we will re-establish the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health to address current gaps and strengthen the Nova Scotian health system response to the specific health needs and concerns of women in our province.
- Increase Access to Menstrual Products: The cost of menstrual products adds to the financial burden that Nova Scotians bear. To reduce barriers and ensure equal access to these much-needed products, a Nova Scotia Liberal government will ensure that all provincial buildings will ensure that all provincial buildings will have free menstrual products accessible to the public.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow to know that in 2024 women are still being assessed and treated based on research on men’s bodies,” said Fairview-Clayton Park candidate, Patricia Arab. “Our platform truly addresses the need to further research and support initiatives that are unique to women’s health. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this team and to be moving women’s health forward in Nova Scotia.”