ENDOMETRIOSIS funding has been welcomed by Mount Gambier residents with the disease, with calls for a treatment centre to be set up within the region.
It comes following the announcement of $58m being provided under the National Action Plan for Endometriosis which will be spread across Australia as part of the 2022-2023 Federal Budget handed down on Tuesday night.
Under the scheme, $16.4m has been committed to establish a network of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
The treatment centres are expected to be built in each state and territory and will specialise in endometriosis and pelvic pain management and research.
Mount Gambier resident Lynette Heiming said the funding was a fantastic initiative and she hoped it would reach regional areas.
Suffering from endometriosis significantly since the age of 14, Ms Heiming had undergone extensive surgery in recent years to ease pain associated with the disease.
She said a pain management system for endometriosis would be a fantastic initiative for Mount Gambier and surrounding areas with many women in the region suffering from endometriosis.
“If the one treatment centre per State goes to Adelaide it would still be tough, especially for young women because they are going to have to travel there,” Ms Heiming said.
“Everyone has a daughter, sister, mother or cousin who has the disease and chances are we know at least half a dozen women with it too.
“However, to see it recognised on a national level is awesome because when I was growing up with it, it was something we didn’t speak about and nobody really understood what it was.”
Ms Heiming said despite only one treatment centre per State coming into effect, it gave her hope for pain management and possibly a cure for future generations.
“To see it spoken about and funded so well gives me hope that we will have a cure eventually,” she said.
“In the meantime I am hoping there will be some pain management which is what this funding is all about.”
Wishing this funding was available when she was younger, Ms Heiming said treatment centres and pain management would have changed her youth significantly.
“If endometriosis was coming to light to this extent when I was younger, it would have made such a difference to my life,” she said.
“I had multiple operations and even then I was told I shouldn’t have that much pain.
“If I were able to access this type of treatment it would have made such a difference to my life and gives me hope for the future of young women with endometriosis.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin welcomed the funding for South Australia and said he encouraged local general practitioners within the Limestone Coast to apply to establish an endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic within their existing practice.
“If approved, the participating practitioner clinic will receive the funding from the Federal Government to build on specialised services and employ additional staff,” Mr Pasin said.
“This could include pelvic physiotherapy, dieticians or nurses to help provide mental health support or help patients navigate the health system.
“I will be encouraging GPs across the Limestone Coast, including in Mount Gambier, who have an interest in women’s health to consider taking advantage of this initiative.”
