A Victorian woman has made an emotional appeal for the state government to reconsider the three-month halt on IVF proceedures following the sharp rise in Omicron cases.
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Victoria's Deputy Premier and Acting Health Minister James Merlino announced a state-wide 'Code Brown', which would effectively put a pause on non-urgent elective surgeries and procedures.
Under the new rules, women who are scheduled for new IVF treatments after January 6 will now have to wait until mid-April. Pre-existing treatment schedules will continue and some exemptions may be given.
"I know what an emotional toll it is, what a financial toll it is," Mr Merlino said on Tuesday.
"We'll return those services as quickly as possible. We're doing work right now on that."
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Victorian resident Melanie Swieconek took to social media to express her heartbreak over the decision.
"You have both made a decision that is greatly affecting not only myself, but so many women around Victoria, and I can't even fathom how you came to the decision that you did," the 45-year-old told viewers.
"And I thought, maybe it's because you've never actually met someone who's going through IVF.
"I really just wanted to let you know that this is something that not I elected to do and not one other person who was going through IVF, or who has been through IVF, or who's just about to start IVFhas elected to do.
"This is something we are doing as our only opportunity to have a child. We have tried everything else."
Addressing the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, and Health Minister Martin Foley, Ms Swieconek stated that the decision would potentially mean some women will have to give up on becoming mothers entirely.
"You are asking us to pause IVF for 90 days," Ms Swieconek said.
"That is three months. Our bodies cannot be paused for 90 days."
Following the release of Ms Swieconek's video on Tuesday, there has been an outpouring of support.