For 50,000 Australians October 5 is the one day each year when they can be seen and heard.

Story for Saturday.

Most Australians would be completely unaware of the impact having a stoma has on a person’s quality of life.  A stoma is surgically created opening in the abdomen to remove body waste, such as faeces and urine. Many conditions can lead to someone needing a stoma, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, bladder cancer, injury trauma, and congenital defects.

World Ostomy Day is about spreading awareness and advocating for those living with stomas. The Stoma Industry Association (SIA) knows the importance of speaking out against the silence and shining a light on this challenging and often stigmatised condition. We also want to acknowledge all the tremendous work done by Ostomy Associations and Stomal Therapy Nurses (STNs) in supporting this neglected patient group.

Appliances used to manage the stoma output are subsidised by the Commonwealth funded Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS). The Government is reviewing it right now. There have been six reviews of the SAS. The only change to ever result from any of these was the 2012 freezing of the prices Government pays for stoma products.  

The current review must not become another missed opportunity to improve the lives of 50,000 Australian ostomates. On World Ostomy Day on 5 October 2024 we’re asking the Australian Government to increase investment in the products 50,000 Australian ostomates depend on. 

https://www.stomaindustryassociation.com.au/stoma-campaign

Statement attributed to:   Matthew Dalton, Chair, Stoma Industry Association (SIA)

Tim Cook Tel: 0428 862 436