00:02When Kathleen was diagnosed with HIV in 1987, she was given just 12 months to live.
00:09My son was four and I was pregnant, so I never thought I'd see my kids grow up,
00:16and now here I am still here to see my grandkids grow up.
00:20It's thanks to anti-retroviral treatment, or ART, which stops HIV from replicating in the body,
00:27helping people live longer, healthier lives.
00:30ART can lower the amount of virus to such low levels that it's undetectable.
00:35Clinical trials have proven that makes it untransmissible.
00:39That means it's not passed on to sexual partners and helps prevent transmission during pregnancy.
00:44I remember it being referred to as the prevention revolution at the time.
00:50It was incredible evidence.
00:52In most states and territories, ART is free.
00:55Previously, South Australians were out of pocket up to $30 a month,
01:00but now it's available from public hospital pharmacies at no cost.
01:04We don't think people's ability to be able to access important treatment like this for HIV
01:10should be dependent upon their bank balance.
01:13Advocates also hope the free medication will help reduce stigma
01:17and educate the broader community about HIV transmission.
01:21I'm so lucky because most of the joy in my life now comes from my relationship with my three grandchildren.
01:29And, you know, I didn't expect that to happen.
01:33Life-changing medication making a positive difference.
01:38I'm so lucky, Mr.
01:38You
Comments