Ostomy Patients Seek Greater Public Awareness
An estimated 700,000 people in Europe live with an ostomy, a number expected to grow due to an ageing population and increasing colorectal diseases. The EU policy dialogue on 26 March 2025 aims to address challenges faced by ostomy patients, advocating for better care, social inclusion, and awareness.
People living with an ostomy in Europe face significant challenges affecting their quality of life, health outcomes, and social inclusion. Despite progress in medical technology and care, they often face barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality medical support, adequate financial assistance, and widespread public understanding.
Institutional information on ostomy care is inadequate in many European countries, with no public awareness or information campaigns for ostomised persons and their caregivers. Patient associations play a fundamental advocacy role in decision-making processes aimed at improving the quality of life of ostomised people.
The Cittadinanzattiva–Active Citizenship Network and F.A.I.S.-Federation of Incontinent and Ostomised Associations, with the support of Coloplast, are organising a policy dialogue event at the EU Parliament in Brussels to identify the commitment of EU institutions on access to care and improvement of the quality of life of people with intimate health conditions in Europe.
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A set of Civic Recommendations, drafted with the involvement of 20 Patient Advocacy Groups from 13 Member States, will be presented to key stakeholders, aiming to make visible the invisible for ostomised people. The meeting will also launch an EU social media communication campaign and reaffirm the value of the principles set out in the Charter of Ostomates Rights.
The EU policy dialogue event is part of the European project “Overcoming new challenges for advocacy of people with intimate health conditions in Europe” led by Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network and FAIS.
Registration for the event is free but mandatory and closes on 17 March 2025. Click here to register.
Institutional support for the event is also provided by the MEPs interest Group “European Patients’ Rights & Cross-Border Healthcare”, which is now in its third consecutive term, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to addressing the needs of patients in Europe, including those with intimate health conditions such as ostomy patients.
