SA launches strategy to "virtually eliminate HIV transmission" by 2030

The SA Government has launched its South Australian HIV Strategy 2025–2030 — a blueprint to become one of the world’s first jurisdictions to end HIV transmission.

Outlining how the state will achieve the goals and targets set out in the Australian Government’s Ninth National HIV Strategy, SA’s strategy will focus on:

• South Australians finding out HIV status sooner by making it easier to get tested;
• increased community awareness of, and access to, HIV prevention tools;
• for people living with HIV, support to access appropriate care and to live long, healthy lives; and
• eliminating discrimination and stigma.
   

In a statement, the SA Government said that Australia is already a world leader in its response to, and treatment of, HIV and AIDS, and that scientific advances, strong partnerships and sustained implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies mean the state “has an exciting opportunity to seize in standing out on the world stage by ending HIV transmission”.

Yet the government also said that barriers persist for some groups in accessing HIV prevention, testing and treatment, and that the continued spread of misinformation about HIV contributes to discrimination and stigma that undermines the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in Australia.

“This is an important moment for South Australia as we look to take our most ambitious move yet towards ending the HIV epidemic in this state,” SA Premier Chris Picton said. “The South Australian HIV Strategy gives us a clear blueprint that will guide the Malinauskas government in its mission to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in South Australia.”

Intended to address remaining obstacles and provide key guidance for the Malinauskas government, the government said it is determined “to leave no communities behind on the path to the ambitious but achievable goal of virtually eliminating HIV transmission”.

The government pointed to its recent contribution of funding to reopen the Shine SA clinic at Davoren Park (closed in 2019), enabling it to resume the delivery of testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections. “We want to be a world leader in this space, not only by ending HIV transmission, but by continuing to ensure those who live with it can live long, healthy and happy lives,” Picton said.

Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said: “This strategy presents an opportunity for the next great public health achievement, as we strive to become one of the first jurisdictions to achieve the World Health Organization’s goal of virtually eliminating HIV transmission by 2030.

“Thanks to scientific advances, strong partnerships and sustained implementation of prevention strategies, this goal is now not only realistic, but within reach.”

You can read SA strategy here, via the SA Health website.

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