An update from the WA AIDS Council

On Saturday 16 February the Board held its annual planning day to talk through the future direction of the WA AIDS Council in the year ahead.

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As I was listening and looking out over the Perth skyline my eye caught the new Mercedes advertising, which simply read – “Progress is never satisfied.”

This brilliant caption got me thinking about HIV and the progress that has been made over the years in terms of understanding HIV as an illness and the development of medications and treatments.

What would have happened if scientists and health professionals in the early 90’s had been satisfied with the progress they had made so far? If they stopped researching, stopped trialing new medications and treatment options? We wouldn’t enjoy the range of treatment options or PrEP or even understand the U = U concept of undetectable = untransmissible.

Despite acknowledging the successes so far, the government remains committed to further progress. Progress that will require change and adapting to new and emerging situations. In the 8th National HIV Strategy, the Commonwealth Government outlined new targets to reach by the end of 2022, such as:

• Increasing the proportion of people living with HIV, in all priority populations, who know their diagnosis to 95%;
• Increasing the proportion of those on treatment with an undetectable viral load to 95%;
• Sustaining the virtual elimination of HIV among sex workers, among people who inject drugs and from mother to child through the maintenance of effective prevention programs.

Likewise, when we look back over the history of WAAC, it is a history of progress as well as change and adaptation. In the early days of the epidemic, WAAC provided hospice-type care and support. It was a community organisation, standing with community members. In 2019, support is about providing services that address a range of different needs.

Over the next few weeks, I will continue to outline some of the necessary changes at WAAC as we work with a wider range of groups and individuals.

Progress is never satisfied. There is always more work to be done to increase the quality of life of people living with HIV, and to minimize the personal and social impact of HIV.

So, here’s to progress. Let’s remain unsatisfied with the status quo, and embrace the changes ahead so we can provide more people with the tools they need to manage their health in a way that allows them to lead productive and successful lives. Let’s work together with government to eliminate the transmission of HIV within Western Australia.

David Kernohan
CEO WA AIDS Council

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