By Ricky S 
Australias government has just announced a $573.3 million investment plan that will focus on improving womens healthcare. The primary aim is to give women more choices, to reduce costs, and to improve services for women all over the country.
A big part of it is the introduction of Yaz and Yasmin contraceptive pills to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which is a government program that saves women about $380 each year.
This event is the first time that new oral contraceptives have been added to the PBS for over 30 years. The measure aims to burden women aged 18 to 39 years, offering them more affordable reproductive health options. Health Minister Mark Butler elaborated that besides relieving pain, lowering waiting times for a diagnostic, and revolutionizing menopause care, the investment also intends to be a family one.
The offer also contains increased Medicare rebates for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) such as intrauterine devices (IUD) and birth control implants. The allowance for IUD removal will jump to $222 from $77, meaning that it joins the vasectomy rebate. This agreement is to rectify the current inequality as well as provide reliable contraceptive methods.
Furthermore, the government wishes to establish 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics in the entire country in addition to the 22 they already have, which means the new total will be 33. These clinics are going to be diagnostic centers, specializing in identifying conditions that have usually been underdiagnosed and consequently undertreated. The plan is to upgrade the early detection and control of the conditions of that kind.
The government’s priority includes the development of menopause care. The Government has announced the introduction of a new Medicare schedule for menopause by general practitioners. In addition, make a mention of that, too, that Australia’s first guidelines on menopause treatment will be introduced, setting the standard in the services of women at a specific stage of life.
Moreover, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has applauded the government’s determination, stressing the view that enhanced health care for women through state-funded health facilities, including contraceptives and check-ups, is definitely a profitable return on investment.
The RACGP has been a serious advocate in the field of medicine to secure the necessary funds to make good healthcare services available to all women who need them.
Moreover, The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) was very pleased to receive the news and described it as a big step in helping increase access to care.
The PSA emphasized that the inclusion of the new contraceptives (stated in the PBS) and the wide-ranging test on how to improve access to community pharmacists, for example, treatment kits for commonly encountered conditions like urinary tract infection, were really worthwhile developments in terms of women’s health.
This integrated strategy mirrors the government’s dedication to the long-neglected women’s health area. The objective of the implementation of the initiative is to make essential therapies and treatments more affordable and more accessible. With this money set to be invested, women’s health services will have an enduring effect nationwide.