Here is the response that I received on December 8th, 2001 from the Minister of Health, to my August 10th, 2001 letter. I wasn’t impressed as it was all just facts and figures but at least I tried.
Dear Ms. Chiasson:
The Honourable Chris Hodsgon, MPP, forwarded to me your letter of August 10, 2001, regarding research into women’s health issues. I appreciated hearing your views on this important matter.
Our government is committed to addressing women’s health issues. We have invested over $210 million annually in specific programs for women. As well, we have established the Ontario Women’s Health Council (OWHC), an advisory body to the ministry on issues related to women’s health. This is an important step in making the health system more responsive to health issues unique to women.
We are concerned about the number of hysterectomies being performed in Ontario particularly in rural and northern areas of the province. To this end, the OWHC has convened an expert panel on best practices on the use of hysterectomy. Please rest assured that as part of their work, the expert panel will be looking at a variety of indications for hysterectomy, including endometriosis.
On April 11, 2001, I announced a total of $10 million for healthcare initiatives that will benefit women across the province. The funding includes $7.4 million for health organizations over three years to fund demonstration projects and $2 million for the endowment of Chairs in Women’s Health at two Ontario universities. This funding in the education, community and hospital sectors will help the OWHC provide advice to me, and will promote much-needed information and research in a number of key areas in women’s health.
If you have access to the Internet, I encourage you to visit our web site at http://www.gov.on.ca/health/ for details of our current initiatives and news of future health service initiatives.
I hope you find this helpful. Once again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with our government.
Your’s very truly, Tony Clements