People with HIV living longer

According to Jaco Gouws, marketing actuary of Old Mutual, there has been an increase in life expectancy if treatment was started as soon as a person knew their status.

“Great strides in understanding the condition and advances in antiretroviral therapy has enabled us to group HIV/Aids with other chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which can be controlled with medication, therapies and management of lifestyle,” said Gouws.

Managing and living with Aids has become significantly less onerous and expensive, which was due to the simplification and increased efficiency of treatment.

Gouws said 10 years ago patients had to take about 20 pills a day and the medication had unpleasant side-effects. “Today, that burden has been reduced to one pill daily,” he said.

People living with HIV are no longer stigmatised and can acquire assets, obtain capital to start a business, apply for a bond, and protect themselves, their family and their business against disability.