The Northern Territory puberty blocker ban has been slammed by trans health advocates for misinformation.
The AMA is warning the Northern Territory government to “keep politics out of healthcare,” following a ban on puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone treatments.
The ban was announced late last year, with the AMA stating that the move was based on misinformation regarding the treatment and that the record must be corrected.
A lack of clear scientific evidence has been highlighted by the AMA’s NT branch and that the government’s current rhetoric is misinforming patients.
“No medication is without side effects,” AMA NT president Dr John Zorbas said.
“There is a theoretical, unproven risk that puberty blockers could potentially reduce long-term bone density.
“In medicine, these trade-offs are made every day in making decisions around treatments.
“Every decision carries risk and benefit and this is managed for each individual with doctors providing the best evidence to patients to inform the best decision for them and their individual circumstances.”
This ban on gender affirming care for adolescents comes after the Queensland government announced late last year that it would be extending its ban for another six years.
Trans health advocates have reiterated the AMA’s arguments stating that this restriction of access to said care will increase mental health risks for adolescents who would be receiving said treatment.
“Medical professionals rely on standards developed from extensive research and clinical practice,” CEO of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) Eloise Brook said.
“Evidence indicates that restricting access to this care can cause significant harm to young people, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, self-harm.
“Limiting or denying access to care poses serious risks and disproportionately harms the small number of people who need it.”
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The Australian Christian Lobby has urged the NSW Government to follow QLD and the NT’s lead, reasoning that the ban would “protect children.”
The ACL, which is not a health organisation, has also stated that the treatment presents a serious risk to children’s health and wellbeing and that the ban reflects an international shift toward caution.
“No medication is without side effects,” the AMA NT’s Dr Zorbas said.
“There is a theoretical, unproven risk that puberty blockers could potentially reduce long-term bone density.
“In medicine, these trade-offs are made every day in making decisions around treatments.
“Every decision carries risks and benefit and this is managed for each individual with doctors providing the best evidence to patients to inform the best decision for them and their individual circumstances.”
Dr Zorbas also argued that the ban does not align with the typical decision-making processes and contradicts a previous decision made with the assistance of the Chief Health Officer.
“The science hasn’t changed since then – only the politics,” he said.
“Gender-related conditions are some of the most difficult to treat in medicine.
“They require a team of doctors with specialised training: paediatric endocrinologists, paediatric psychiatrists, paediatricians and general practitioners.
“No decision around treatments in this area is made in isolation and without years of review.
“They are also done with parental consent at every step of the way, requiring the consent of all parents – a higher bar than surgery.”
