Three million kroner allocated for women’s health initiatives but critics say it’s not enough

Denmark’s Capital Region has earmarked three million kroner (approximately €400,000) for six new initiatives aimed at improving women’s health services, including expanded abortion counselling for young people and psychological support for involuntary childlessness, DR reports. However, medical experts and patient groups warn the funding falls short of addressing long-standing gaps in care.

Among the measures, 1.025 million kroner will fund an expert-staffed helpline for healthcare professionals advising on conditions such as endometriosis—a chronic disease causing severe pain during menstruation and intercourse—as well as menopause and pregnancy loss. Another 355,000 kroner will support abortion counselling for 15- to 18-year-olds, while 150,000 kroner will provide psychological help for young women struggling with infertility.

Henriette Svarre Nielsen, a senior consultant at Hvidovre Hospital and professor of reproductive health at the University of Copenhagen, called the investment “a step in the right direction” but stressed it was insufficient to reverse decades of neglect. “We must recognise that we cannot undo 150 years of neglect with a few million kroner. Substantial, sustained investments are needed,” she said.

Anne Hovmøller of the patient organisation Endometriose Fællesskabet expressed concern that the helpline’s expanded scope—now covering multiple women’s health issues—could dilute the quality of advice. “One million kroner sounds like a lot, but covering all these areas adequately will be challenging,” she told DR.

The remaining funds will support extended opening hours at a sexual health clinic (700,000 kroner), an online rehabilitation programme (300,000 kroner), and a digital tool to facilitate doctor-patient discussions about postnatal pelvic health (470,000 kroner).

Sofie de Bretteville, deputy chair of the Capital Region’s health committee, defended the allocation, stating the goal was to “strengthen quality” and leaving open the possibility of additional funding if demand exceeds expectations. “If hospitals report greater need than anticipated, we’ll have to consider political action to expand these services,” she said.

The initiatives follow recommendations from patients, relatives, and policymakers. Nationally, all Danish regions have budgeted for women’s health this year, while the government has allocated 160 million kroner to establish a national research centre for women’s health.