Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) is calling for a national
action plan for endometriosis as part of its submission on
the proposed Women’s Health Strategy being developed by
Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health.
“We’re calling
for Manatū Hauora to follow international best practice and
acknowledge the significant health and wellbeing burden
endometriosis has by including endometriosis in Aotearoa New
Zealand’s first Women’s Health Strategy,” says ENZ
Chief Executive Tanya Cooke.
“We are also advocating
for a national endometriosis action plan to be developed
like what has been done in Australia. This will provide a
clear blueprint to tackle endometriosis through education
and awareness, clinical management and care, and
research.”
Cooke says despite the fact endometriosis
is estimated to affect 120,000 New Zealanders, the health
system has long failed those with
endometriosis.
“Individuals with endometriosis usually
has an average eight-year delay between onset of symptoms
and diagnosis. We know from our work in the community that
this can have a significant impact on an individual’s
quality of life, mental health and fertility.” ENZ’s
submission, which is also supported by Aotearoa New
Zealand’s two other endometriosis charities, Insight
Endometriosis and Endo Warriors Aotearoa, outlines many of
the issues leading to this delayed diagnosis and fragmented
quality of care.
“There’s a lack of endometriosis
education in primary healthcare, patients can experience
long delays to see gynaecologists and other specialists,
there is limited access to publicly funded ultrasounds, MRIs
and hormonal treatment options, and there is no New Zealand
network of tertiary referral centres for complex
endometriosis surgery.”
Cooke says despite the
Ministry of Health publishing best practice guidance for the
diagnosis and management of endometriosis in 2020, they have
not addressed the situation.
“Three years on little
progress has been made in implementing them due to a lack of
resourcing and prioritisation. New Zealand women, girls and
those assigned female at birth deserve far more urgent
progress in addressing the issues plaguing endometriosis
diagnosis, treatment and
care.”
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