Labour Promises Free Cervical Screening for New Zealanders

The Labour Party has pledged to provide free cervical screening for New Zealanders aged 25 to 69 if it secures victory in the upcoming election. This initiative marks the first enhancement to Labour’s recently unveiled “Medicard.” Currently, cervical screenings are available every five years for women within this age bracket.

The announcement of the Medicard came unexpectedly last week, following leaks to RNZ regarding the party’s capital gains tax (CGT) proposal. This tax would impose a 28% levy on profits from property sales, excluding family homes and farms. Under the Medicard scheme, every New Zealander would receive entitlements to three free general practitioner (GP) visits each year, funded by the proceeds from the CGT.

Dr. Ayesha Verrall, Labour’s health spokesperson, highlighted that the newly proposed free cervical screening would incur an initial cost of $21.6 million, sourced from existing health spending. She emphasized the initiative’s potential to prevent cancer and reduce the financial burden of hospital treatments.

“Each year, 175 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 55 die from it. Almost every case is preventable with better uptake of cervical screening and vaccination,” Dr. Verrall stated. She underscored that providing free cervical screening could lead to earlier diagnoses, save lives, and lessen the strain on healthcare facilities.

Currently, Māori, Pacific peoples, and holders of the Community Services Card are already eligible for free cervical screening and follow-up testing. Dr. Verrall noted that cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent through early detection, as it is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

The Labour Party’s commitment to making cervical screening free aligns with its broader health initiatives aimed at improving public health and access to essential medical services. As the election approaches, the party is positioning itself as a proponent of comprehensive healthcare solutions that address significant health issues within the community.