Scott Morrison Announces Record Funding To Help Women With Endometriosis
The Prime Minister has pledged $58 million to address a problem that affects one in nine women - including his own wife Jenny.
Scott Morrison has announced a record amount of funding to address a medical issue that impacts one in nine Australian women - including his own wife Jenny.
Endometriosis is a painful yet common disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of the uterus.
The condition can cause infertility or issues with conception; a matter which his wife Jenny has spoken about before with The Daily Telegraph.
"I would get so sick ... vomiting, diarrhoea, terrible backache, really extreme cramps ... you can get pain down your legs and everything," she told News Corp.
Jenny was diagnosed at 26, however it was only after her diagnosis and a five and a half hour operation that the Morrisons were able to conceive their two daughters.
Now, nearly three decades after her diagnosis, her husband and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the biggest funding package for endometriosis ever recorded in a $58 million plan.
The new funding will devote $25.2 million to support women with severe endometriosis and other conditions that affect fertility to access a new Medicare-funded MRI scan.
"One in nine Australian women suffer from endometriosis and this funding today will bring welcome relief and support through better diagnosis, treatment and care," Mr Morrison said.
"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.
"Our plan will improve the quality of life for women living with endometriosis, with record support, building on our National Action Plan for endometriosis, so women of all ages can get diagnosed and be supported."
Further to that, a $2 million campaign will be rolled out to educate the public on endometriosis through the Australian Coalition for Endometriosis; a Mentor Program to help support the newly diagnosed.
A Workplace Assistance Program will also be implemented to support employees and employers to navigate discussions in the workplace about endometriosis.
In addition to Morrison's endometriosis package, the government will further assist Aussie couples planning to get pregnant with an $81.2 million investment into Medicare to provide access to testing for three serious genetic conditions.
This testing will be free and universally available for cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and fragile X syndrome (FXS) - the most common inheritable genetic disorders that result in reduced life expectancy within the Australian population
Currently hopeful parents can only access the testing via a privately funded service which costs between $250-$450 per test.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said this will allow thousands of Aussies to see if they are genetic carriers for these disorders like CF, SMA and FXS without being significantly out of pocket.
"As a passionate advocate for genetic testing," he said, adding this 'will not only help Australians and their families, but ensure they know and understand the risks of inheritable genetic disorders'.
Featured Image Credit: ITAR-TASS News Agency. Phanie/Alamy Stock PhotoTopics: Scott Morrison, Australia, Health
Rachel Lang