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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

South Australia offers free HIV treatment to all residents

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • South Australia will offer free HIV treatment from public hospital pharmacies starting July 1, regardless of Medicare status.
  • Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has been available and free in most of Australia, but South Australians faced monthly costs up to $30.
  • The move aims to increase access to life-saving medication and reduce HIV transmission in the community.

For decades, Kath Leane lived with the shadow of a death sentence after her HIV diagnosis in 1987. "I never thought I'd see my kids grow up, and now here I am, still here to see my grandkids grow up," she said, reflecting on a life she never expected to have.

My son was four, and I was pregnant, so that was a real shock. I never thought I'd see my kids grow up, and now here I am, still here to see my grandkids grow up.

— Kath LeaneKath Leane, diagnosed with HIV in 1987, reflects on her survival and the impact of treatment.

Leane credits her survival and the chance to witness her family grow to antiretroviral treatment (ART), which emerged in 1996. This medication stops HIV from replicating, allowing individuals to live longer, healthier lives. More than 30,000 Australians live with HIV, with the majority relying on ART.

Well, I'm not on medication because I can't afford it. It's like, we need everyone on medication.

— Kath LeaneKath Leane highlights the importance of universal access to HIV medication.

Starting July 1, this life-changing treatment will be free for all South Australians through public hospital pharmacies, eliminating out-of-pocket costs that previously reached up to $30 per month. This initiative ensures that access to essential medication is not dependent on a person's financial situation, a sentiment echoed by SA Health Minister Blair Boyer. "We don't think people's ability to be able to access important treatment like this for HIV should be dependent upon their bank balance," he stated.

I remember it being referred to as the prevention revolution at the time, it was incredible evidence. For people living with HIV, that was just such brilliant, welcome, comforting, reassuring news. For so long, the anxiety of passing on HIV potentially to your partners was overwhelming for so many people, it greatly impacted their mental health and wellbeing.

— Holley SkeneSHINE SA chief executive Holley Skene describes the impact of antiretroviral treatment.

The availability of free ART is also expected to encourage more people to adhere to treatment, which is crucial for reducing HIV transmission. Clinical trials have shown that when viral load is undetectable due to ART, the risk of sexual transmission is virtually eliminated. Holley Skene, CEO of SHINE SA, described ART as a "prevention revolution," bringing immense relief and reducing the anxiety that previously impacted the mental health of many living with HIV.

We don't think people's ability to be able to access important treatment like this for HIV should be dependent upon their bank balance.

— Blair BoyerSA Health Minister Blair Boyer explains the government's decision to make ART free.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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