Women and girls living with endometriosis staged a protest in Dublin city on Friday, calling for improved access to treatment and stronger support from the Government.
Demonstrators marched from St Stephen’s Green to Leinster House, carrying banners highlighting the severe pain and daily challenges associated with the condition. Participants chanted, “Ho Ho Ho, Irish healthcare is too slow,” drawing attention to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The protest comes two months after the Government unveiled a new national endometriosis framework aimed at speeding up diagnoses. While campaigners welcomed the framework as a step forward, they said it does not address several critical issues, particularly financial barriers to surgery abroad.
Under current regulations, patients who require excision surgery in countries such as Greece or Romania can access treatment through the Cross Border Directive. However, the system requires patients to pay for the procedure upfront and seek reimbursement later, a process that can be prohibitively expensive for many.
Lisa Walsh from Limerick, who took part in the protest, described her own experience. She said her surgery cost €20,000, which she had to pay in advance before being reimbursed. Walsh said she was fortunate to afford the procedure, but many others with the disease are left without options because they cannot manage the upfront costs.
Protesters are urging the Government to include excision surgery in the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS), ensuring patients can access care without facing significant financial strain. Campaign groups emphasize that timely access to surgery is crucial for managing symptoms and preventing further complications.
Endometriosis is estimated to affect around 300,000 women in Ireland, with approximately 30,000 cases classified as complex. Patients often experience chronic pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms, which can severely impact daily life, work, and education.
Campaigners stressed that better funding, improved access to specialist care, and clearer pathways for treatment are urgently needed. They said while raising awareness of the disease is important, concrete policy measures are essential to make meaningful improvements in the lives of those affected.
Advocacy groups hope the protest will pressure policymakers to expand the existing framework, make overseas surgery more accessible, and provide additional resources for local treatment options.
Endometriosis organizations across Ireland continue to call for a coordinated approach to care, highlighting the need for national strategies that combine early diagnosis, specialist support, and financial assistance for patients.
