Prime Minister Scott Morrison has opened up about seeing his wife Jenny suffer from the debilitating condition of endometriosis while announcing a life-changing $58m in the upcoming federal budget will go towards helping sufferers.
Specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will be set up in every state and territory of Australia to support women suffering from the disorder, often referred to as a “silent epidemic” because it takes years to diagnose after the onset of symptoms.
They will also be able to get Medicare-funded access to new pelvic MRI scans.
Mr Morrison’s wife has previously spoken about herxjmtzyw “devastating” diagnosis of endometriosis and her 14-year struggle to have children.
She endured about ten rounds of IVF and surgery for endometriosis – which can affect fertility – before her two daughters, Abbey and Lily, were born naturally.
“I have seen first-hand with Jen just how debilitating endometriosis can be for women; the mental and physical toll it takes and it’s so important we continue to fund new services and treatments for the hundreds of thousands of women who suffer from endometriosis,” the Prime Minister said.
“One in nine Australian women suffer from endometriosis and this funding today will bring welcome relief and support through better diagnosis, treatment and care.”
In 2018, the government launched the first ever National Action Plan for Endometriosis.
“Our plan will improve the quality of life for women living with endometriosis, with record support so women of all ages can get diagnosed and be supported,” Mr Morrison said.
Under the initiative, $16.4m will go towards establishing new specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
Two will be based in each state and one in each territory.
Another $25m will go to providing access to a new pelvic MRI scan to become available to reproductive-aged women under Medicare.
A review had recommended it become available for women who’ve had an abnormality detected via an ultrasound.
Another $5.1m will be committed to developing an endometriosis management plan to support patients in primary care.
Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said the funding would change lives.
She was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis in early 2020.
“Endometriosis had stuck both of my ovaries and my fallopian tubes to my uterus, one of my ovaries was also stuck to my bowel, and there was a lot of endo on my bladder and my bowel,” she said.
“It took 3.5 hours of surgery to remove it.
“My diagnosis explained everything; my period pain that I thought was normal, my heavy periods, clotting, my terrible bowel pain and related bowel issues and more.
“I have an amazing team of medical specialists who have my pain and my symptoms under control and that is what we want for everyone who has endo.
“So as someone who lives with endo, I know that our announcement today will change lives, and help women and girls get the advice and support they need.”
The federal budget will also separately include $81.2m to create a new Medicare item to help couples who are planning for pregnancy see if they are carriers of cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome.
This testing, which helps parents check their risk of passing on the genetic conditions, will become free and universally available instead of costing between $250 and $450 privately.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was a passionate advocate for genetic testing.
“This will allow thousands of Australians to undergo genetic testing without huge out of pocket costs and enable them to see if they are genetic carriers of disorders like CF, SMA and FXS,” Minister Hunt said.
“I am proud that the Morrison government is making this significant investment, which will not only help Australians and their families, but ensure they know and understand the risks of inheritable genetic disorders.”
