Hannah Hammoud
Equal access to healthcare was front of mind during the Northern Health Foundation’s International Women’s Day celebration on Wednesday, March 8.
One hundred and forty-five Northern Health staff, board members and guests gathered at Mantra Epping for the celebration, with executive director Pina Di Donato addressing the crowd.
“Northern Health is always working towards fixing the gaps in the care provided to women in our region. Equality isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a ‘must have’,” she said.
Among those in attendance was Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas who reiterated the importance of access to high-quality healthcare for women and the Victorian state government’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive health package.
“We’ve come a long way in women’s health, but there is more to do. That’s why we will deliver new women’s health clinics, more sexual and reproductive health hubs and double the number of endometriosis surgeries,” she said.
Northern Health operations director Kathryn Bartho shared her personal cancer survival story, recounting her diagnosis in 2020 and the journey of receiving treatment at her own workplace.
Ms Bartho acknowledged the care she received at Northern Health, and how she was able to receive chemotherapy in the comfort of her own home and was able to work from home throughout her treatment.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge that, in a global comparison, my cancer experience is unique, and that not all women have what I have,” she said.
“I’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by strong women all my life and encouraged to achieve, grow and learn at every opportunity.”
