Federal Budget Funding Annoucement
MEDIA STATEMENT
Please attribute to Endo Articles Founder and CEO Milli Weaver
Endometriosis is an all-encompassing, whole of body disease which affects people in different ways. Management is physically and emotionally draining, painful and expensive.
Endo Articles welcomes the Federal Government’s investment of $49.1 million as we acknowledge any additional funding for this condition is a step in the right direction.
We hope this announcement encourages more young people to know there is support available and to seek medical assistance because the pain they are experiencing is not normal.
However, we do believe more needs to be done to address this complex medical condition as endometriosis care must begin to be acknowledged as a whole of body disease. The truth of the matter is, increased funding does not address the significant amount of time patients often wait in order to see a specialist. Similarly, it does not address the current lack of specialists who are able to offer endometriosis patients
symptom management options beyond a surgical procedure. Additional support would include, and is not limited to: dedicated resources to combat the mental health impacts associated with endometriosis, increased support for those living in rural and regional areas, and, further and more specific training for those working with endometriosis patients. The latest research shows the average cost for a woman with endometriosis (both personally and for society) is around $30,000 a year. This includes the costs of medication, specialist medical appointments, and productivity losses due to the inability to work while experiencing high levels of pain.
The fact it still takes more than seven years for a person in Australia to be diagnosed with endometriosis is simply not good enough. Alongside a cure, this is where our Government’s focus needs to be. We must ensure medical professionals have adequate training to address this shortfall and that all endometriosis patients are able to access specialised treatment delivered with the care and dignity they deserve.
ENDS