The Women’s Heart Bus campaign kicked off on Wednesday, 23 October, organised through a partnership between the City of Luxembourg (VdL), the Women’s Heart Bus organisation, and several local entities. Over the course of three days, the initiative offers a full-scale prevention and consultation programme for women, particularly those in vulnerable financial situations.
The Heart Bus is an initiative of the France-based Women’s Cardiovascular Healthcare Foundation (Agir pour le Coeur des Femmes), and while it is primarily aimed at those in precarious or difficult situations, all women are welcome.
In 2021, cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death among women in Luxembourg, accounting for 25.3% of female deaths (540 deaths) and the second leading cause among men, according to a ministerial report. The Heart Bus initiative offers a vital opportunity for early detection and prevention.
“Today was huge for me. My social worker made an appointment for a full check-up. I was able to see a cardiologist, a doctor and a gynaecologist in an hour”, Brigitte Michelle, a Luxembourgish resident living in precarious circumstances shared.
Reflecting on the critical support that was required for this initiative to be a success, Claudine Lorang, executive advisor at the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte charity explained: “The VdL gave the green light and participated in the financing. Thanks to the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, we were able to bring this project to life. The City primarily financed the infrastructure. The City also supplied tents, equipment, and mobilised a network of local associations.”
Planning took a year and a half, with an initial launch scheduled for June but delayed due to an act of vandalism. Luxembourg is the first foreign country to host the Women’s Heart Bus, and the project targets not only women in financial hardship but also those who lack the time to focus on their health, noted Monique Iseberg, a member of the National Heart Centre’s (INCCI) patients’ association.
“Since February 2023, when we first heard about the bus, we knew we just had to bring it here to target women in financial hardship, but also those lacking time. Some may have the means, but simply don’t have the time to take care of their health,” added the volunteer.
“I came here to consult a cardiologist. Usually, I don’t take the time to look after my heart health. The bus reminded me of the importance of taking care of my heart, and the fact that everything was free made it pivotal for me,” shared Madame Lurdès, a resident who was drawn to the pink village set up in the capital.
“We received information from social services, such as the Luxembourg Red Cross and other organisations. For this Wednesday, 30 people have signed up, and we expect a total of 180 registrations over the course of the three days. However, we are aware that women may show up spontaneously after learning about the initiative,” shared a volunteer.
Organised with the patients’ association, a health and wellness village was set up in collaboration with local associations and the city. “Everything was set up easily, and the necessary resources were available. We installed 20 stands and tents offering prevention, emergency procedures, sports and nutrition advice, as well as information on addictions (drugs, alcohol, etc.),” detailed the volunteer.
“There were four doctors on site, and I saw about ten patients. It’s not the usual volume, but I took the time to talk with each patient. It’s definitely different from my usual consultations but many people don’t even realise they’re ill, so initiatives like this are crucial.” emphasised Dr. Charpentier, a surgeon in Luxembourg and a partner in the AGIR Foundation.
“The initiative is interesting indeed, particularly because cardiovascular diseases are very common in Luxembourg, both in women and men, due to various factors such as dietary habits and backgrounds. We have arranged 200 appointments, and I hope they will all be honoured,” added the surgeon.
The Women’s Heart Bus primarily targets women in precarious situations, but all women are encouraged to visit, even if only to gather information. Registration is required, but spontaneous consultations on-site are also possible.
For more information, visit www.amicale-patients-incci.lu and www.agirpourlecoeurdesfemmes.com.
