A temporary pause on pelvic mesh operations is likely to be in place for at least another year, the Ministry of Health has indicated. The suspension of mesh surgeries for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) last August was initially projected to last up to 12 months but most of the conditions for lifting it have not been met. The extraordinary step, which followed similar moves in the United Kingdom, was taken because of safety concerns around the use of mesh for treating SUI, a common childbirth injury.
Ministry of Health chief medical officer Dr Joe Bourne told the Herald progress was being made in implementing safeguards but it was unlikely the halt on mesh operations would be lifted before mid-2025..
