New Zealand has banned doctors from giving puberty blockers to new young patients with gender dysphoria after a report found "a lack of high-quality evidence" about the benefits or risks of the medication.

The major health intervention comes amid ongoing debate surrounding children and adolescents opting for life-altering treatments which proponents have deemed lifesaving.

The decision was announced on Wednesday and comes into effect on December 19.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said doctors will be barred from prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for gender dysphoria or incongruence to those seeking treatment for the conditions.

The ban will not be extended to people already on the drugs.

The decision was made after the health ministry found a lack of "high-quality evi

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