Category: Australian advocacy

Australian government announces $3 million for medical research

~ ME news Australia ~ 2 Comments

by Sasha Nimmo Australia's Health Minister, Greg Hunt, announced $3 million in medical research funding. In 2018-19 the government will spend $6 billion on Australia’s health and medical research sector. The Minister said funding will 'help researchers develop a better understanding of the cause and condition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)'. This comes after … Continue reading Australian government announces $3 million for medical research

Draft report wrongly claims 99% recover from chronic fatigue syndrome and ME

Draft for Public Consultation - report to the NHMRC CEO
~ ME news Australia ~ 3 Comments

By Sasha Nimmo and ME Australia Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) called for feedback on their advisory committee's draft report at the end of 2018. The report contained misleading errors, stating 99% of people recover (except in cases lasting more than seven years, the report claims the recovery rate is 50-80%). This … Continue reading Draft report wrongly claims 99% recover from chronic fatigue syndrome and ME

Australia’s Health Minister listening to people with ME

Prof Paul Fisher, Sasha Nimmo, Dr Heidi Nicholl
~ ME news Australia ~ 8 Comments

by Sasha Nimmo Australia’s Health Minister, Greg Hunt, listened to people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), families, scientists and organisations. Minister Hunt had a second meeting with ME Australia, along with Prof Paul Fisher, head of microbiology at La Trobe University and Dr Heidi Nicholl, Emerge Australia on Thursday. ME Australia and Dr Chris Armstrong first … Continue reading Australia’s Health Minister listening to people with ME

Difference between Australian chronic fatigue syndrome guidelines and ME

~ ME news Australia ~ 8 Comments

By Sasha Nimmo Australians are having their concerns dismissed by GPs, receiving harmful medical advice, refused insurance claims, refused access to support services, denied access to the Disability Support Pension and the National Disability Insurance scheme. In tens of thousands of cases, they are misdiagnosed or wait decades for a diagnosis. Read these excerpts from … Continue reading Difference between Australian chronic fatigue syndrome guidelines and ME

Emerge Australia given $370,000 government grant

From left: Maria (volunteer), Nola (Emerge's committee of management), Kevin (volunteer), Naomi (Emerge's project officer), John (Emerge's Ambassador) and Sally (Emerge's President) standing in a pub
~ ME news Australia ~ 4 Comments

by Sasha Nimmo Emerge Australia has been given $370,000 by the federal government in a grant for a research symposium, health and well-being surveys and to support people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome. "We're really focusing on developing and delivering a lot of high quality support services as a result of this funding. We … Continue reading Emerge Australia given $370,000 government grant

Friends in Australia’s parliament for people with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome

Parliament House Canberra at dusk
~ ME news Australia ~ 10 Comments

by Sasha Nimmo Three senators have formed a Parliamentary Friends of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) group in Australia's federal parliament. The Parliamentary Friendship group is co-chaired by Western Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John,  Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathan Duniam and Queensland Labor Senator Claire Moore. This group will provide a forum for … Continue reading Friends in Australia’s parliament for people with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome

Did the petition stop the Xbox exercise trial?

ME/CFS Australia (SA) logo with a blue forget-me-knot flower
~ ME news Australia ~ Leave a comment

by Sasha Nimmo The petition against the 'increasing exercise' trial using Xbox video gaming at the University of South Australia (UniSA) was presented to the UniSA and to the President of the ME/CFS Australia in South Australia (ME/CFS SA), Penelope McMillan several months ago. More than 320 people signed the petition on MEAction. The trial … Continue reading Did the petition stop the Xbox exercise trial?

Australia’s medical research council questioned on ME and CFS committee

Senator Griff at Senate Estimates
~ ME news Australia ~ 7 Comments

By Sasha Nimmo Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) answered questions from Greens, Centre Alliance and Labor senators at Senate Estimates budget hearings. Senator Griff asked if they would add experts in biomedical research to the ME and CFS advisory committee. Senator Steele-John asked if it would be concerning if a member of … Continue reading Australia’s medical research council questioned on ME and CFS committee