re the 25 Mar 2022 Release from the Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Federal Government’s recent budget announcement will inject much-needed funds into the chronic condition suffered by one in nine Australian women; Endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a progressive and chronic condition where tissue similar to the endometrium lining is found in abnormal sites around the body, most commonly in the pelvis and can affect women’s reproductive organs.
There is currently no cure for endometriosis, nor can it be prevented.
It is a highly individualised condition, with symptoms ranging significantly from person to person, but commonly impacting on family and social life, work and study.
The latest federal budget has secured government funding to target this disease.
Dr Bruno Radesic, Fertility SA’s Medical Director said,
“In this federal budget the government has committed to investing over $50 million dollars on women’s health, targeting the diagnosis, management of and education in endometriosis.
> this funding will support eligible patients access coordinated, multidisciplinary health care
> this funding will enable the access to Medicare funded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with the establishment of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics nationally
Fertility SA acknowledges this funding will directly improve the impact of endometriosis on women’s lives and we welcome the news.”
The endometriosis funding is part of a portion of new funding ($330 million in total) dedicated towards the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030, which also includes measures to provide more screening for breast and cervical cancer and to increase the awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.
In this specific budget, rural and regional women would have access to telehealth services for non-surgical consultations and support. And notably, more than $5 million will help grow endometriosis research capacity and address research gaps.
Reference: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/record-funding-support-800000-women-endo-and-new-genetic-tests-available
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