A proposal provides for a specific care pathway, with continuous follow-up by a multidisciplinary team, for women with endometriosis in Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS). The text was approved by the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee for the Defense of Women’s Rights.
The proposal also provides for national education and awareness initiatives on menstrual health. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which cells from the tissue that lines the uterus grow outside it, causing severe pain and possible infertility.
The rapporteur, Congresswoman Erika Hilton, included guidelines to promote racial equity and reduce disparities in access to diagnosis and treatment. The text provides for civil society participation in monitoring the policy, with priority given to listening to movements representing Black women, Indigenous women, rural women workers and traditional communities.
The proposal now goes to the Finance and Taxation Committee and the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee for review. To become law, it must be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.