Donation helps fund free service

THE Mount Gambier and Districts Health Advisory Council (HAC) has funded the installation of a free sanitary product dispenser at the Mount Gambier Hospital.

The dispenser, located just inside the women’s toilets between the Emergency Department and the main entrance, offers free ‘Period Packs’ for women and girls to take as they need. Each pack contains six tampons and two sanitary pads.

This initiative has been made possible in partnership with Share the Dignity, a national charity that works to end period poverty in Australia by providing free access to sanitary products.

The dispenser was generously purchased by Health Advisory Council at a cost of $1320, ensuring that those in need can access essential products when required, completely free of charge.

Resident member Tanya Knight, who has had previous experience with Share the Dignity, raised the idea with the HAC earlier this year.

“When I saw these public dispensers in Adelaide, I thought about the opportunity this could give us and so I decided to raise this with the HAC,” she said. “I think it’s really important as women that we all have access to sanitary products at all times.”

HAC presiding member Josh Lynagh, who has also been involved with Share the Dignity through his work in local school services, said the HAC was proud to fund this important initiative.

“When speaking with a local nurse, she explained how this would also be useful for staff who may find themselves without access to products when needed,” Cr Lynagh said. “At the same time, it’s about making sure our community has access to something essential – nobody should have to go without sanitary products. They should be freely available everywhere, and the HAC is pleased to be able to offer them here for those in our community who may need them.”

While the HAC has funded the installation and initial stocking, ongoing support will be needed to keep the dispenser filled. The HAC is now calling on local businesses and individuals to get involved.

“We’ve proudly funded this initiative to get it up and running, but we’d love to see local sponsors come on board to keep the dispenser stocked into the future,” Cr Lynagh said.

Those who are interesting in learning more about sponsoring the restocking of the dispenser can send an email to [email protected]