16 Jul 2012

Fertility funding rule seen as unfair

4:08 pm on 16 July 2012

A fertility specialist says the Government is treating women and girls unfairly when it comes to funding fertility treatment of those with cancer.

Dr Andrew Murray from Fertility Associates in Wellington says the Government pays for the freezing of sperm in men and boys beyond puberty to ensure it's not harmed by cancer treatment.

He told Nine to Noon similar funding enabling women and girls to have eggs and ovarian tissue harvested and frozen before cancer treatment isn't available because the procedure's considered experimental.

Dr Murray says it costs $10,000, is no longer experimental, and some women with partners can access it, but not others. He says that's inequitable.

He says the situation arises from outdated rules.