‘Absolutely essential’: Daniel Andrews under pressure over IVF

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is facing desperate calls to reverse a deeply unpopular decision on IVF procedures.

Daniel Andrews is under mounting pressure to reverse a deeply unpopular decision on IVF procedures.

The Victorian Premier is facing widespread backlash after suspending certain IVF treatments for 90 days due to the Omicron wave.

Mr Andrews paused all non-urgent elective surgeries in an attempt to free up more health resources to fight Covid-19.

The pause covered various IVF procedures, particularly for new cycles.

One woman posted a powerful video to Instagram about what toll the decision would take while Victorian Liberal Party Senator Jane Hume made an impassioned plea for the Victorian government to immediately reverse its decision.

Senator Jane Hume has called on the Victorian Government to reverse its decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

“I have watched the stories of many women going through IVF who have tried every avenue of starting a family and this was the last and only option,” Senator Hume said.

“Some women don’t have three months.”

She reinforced the words of Melbourne fertility specialist Lynn Burmeister, who explained that while 90 days might not sound like a long time, every month was critical for women with low egg reserves or over the age of 35.

“Victorians for two years have done the right thing, locked down when required, isolated when required and got vaccinated,” Senator Hume said.

“After all this, for some to be told they can’t have IVF now to have the opportunity of having children is heartbreaking.

“I am calling on the Victorian government to reverse this decision immediately.”

“We’re going to do everything that we possibly can to resume IVF services as quickly as possible,” Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino told a Covid-19 press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

Deputy Premier James Merlino made a promise to Victorians going through IVF.

“We’re going to do everything that we possibly can to resume IVF services as quickly as possible,” Mr Merlino told reporters in Melbourne.

“I’ve got some dear friends who are currently going through IVF or have been through IVF so I know what an emotional toll it is, what a financial toll it is, and this is, in many cases, a last opportunity to create a family for themselves so I am absolutely empathetic.

“The message I want to send today is the moment we can boost or return to services for IVF patients we will absolutely do so.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt backed the Victorian government’s decision to declare a “code brown” emergency for most major hospitals.

But Mr Hunt said this should not affect IVF services.

“My one area of concern is to make sure IVF is not stalled. I think that should be regarded as a critical service,” he told reporters in Canberra.

“IVF is something where for many families there is a very narrow window of opportunity and it is absolutely essential”.