Mexico aims to eliminate the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by 2030, Health Minister David Kershenobich announced Tuesday.

“Mexico ensures universal access to prevention, detection and care … within the framework of universal health coverage,” Kershenobich said during President Sheinbaum’s daily morning press conference. “The goal is to eliminate HIV by 2030.”

HIV testing is free in Mexico. It does not require an appointment and is available at primary care facilities across all 32 states, as well as through campaigns in schools, workplaces and health fairs.

An estimated 430,000 people are currently living with HIV in Mexico, but approximately 128,000, or around 30%, are unaware they are infected.  

To achieve its 2030 goal, the Health Ministry will strengthen detection strategies and urge young people to get tested, according to Kershenobich. 

At present, 95% of identified patients receive treatment, and a similar percentage maintain a controlled viral load, which significantly improves their quality of life and reduces the risk of virus transmission, as patients with an undetectable viral load no longer transmit the disease. 

“Therefore, HIV control not only protects the individual but also prevents new transmissions,” explained Kershenobich. “The concept of undetectable means untransmittable… [which] has significantly changed the course of HIV care for patients.”

Mexico aims to achieve the international 95-95-95 target by 2030, meaning that 95% of people living with HIV are diagnosed, that 95% of those who have been diagnosed receive treatment and that 95% of those receiving treatment achieve viral control. 

Kershenobich stressed that antiretroviral treatment is free of charge from all public institutions, including the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the IMSS-Bienestar program and the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), as well as from health services provided by Pemex, the states and the Armed Forces. 

In addition, Mexico’s public health system offers free pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people at higher risk of acquiring the virus, as well as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which can be administered within 72 hours of possible exposure.

With reports from Milenio, MVS Noticias and Infobae