An EU policy dialogue on 26 March 2025 will address challenges faced by ostomy patients, advocating for better care, social inclusion, and awareness.
In Europe, an estimated 700,000 people live with an ostomy, a figure that is expected to grow due to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of colorectal diseases.
People living with an ostomy in Europe face significant challenges that affect their quality of life, health outcomes and social inclusion.
Despite progress in medical technology and care, these people often face barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality medical support, adequate financial assistance and widespread public understanding.
Furthermore, institutional information on ostomy care is inadequate in many European countries. In fact, there are no public awareness or information campaigns for ostomised persons and their caregivers.
In this context, patient associations play a fundamental advocacy role in the decision-making processes aimed at improving the quality of life of ostomised people.
Just after the constitution of the first standing committee on Public Health (SANT) of the European Parliament, Cittadinanzattiva–Active Citizenship Network and F.A.I.S.-Federation of Incontinent and Ostomised Associations – with the unconditional support of Coloplast – are organising a policy dialogue event at the EU Parliament in Brussels on 26 March 2025 to identify the commitment of the EU institutions on access to care and improvement of the quality life of people with intimate health conditions in Europe, with a specific focus on the needs of ostomy patients.
A set of Civic Recommendations, drafted with the direct involvement of 20 Patient Advocacy Groups from 13 Member States, will be presented to all key stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of making visible the invisible for ostomised people.
Hosted by the MEPs interest Group “European Patients’ Rights & Cross-Border Healthcare”, now in its third consecutive term, the meeting will also be an opportunity to launch an EU social media communication campaign and to reaffirm the value of the principles set out in the Charter of Ostomates Rights.
This 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.
Click here to register. Registration is free but mandatory and closes on 17 March 2025.
For more information, please write to: brussels@activecitizenship.net
