Dr. Saúl Ruiz, director of the Outpatient Center for the Prevention and Attention of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (CAPASITS) in Puerto Vallarta, reported that they have 2,625 records of people with HIV. There has been a very high increase in the last year, largely due to the pandemic, since many patients with this disease stayed in the city, and requested retroviral treatment.
He said, “Some residents remained here in the city with medical treatment, which has increased for us almost a thousand patients in the last year.”
He commented that Puerto Vallarta, being a preferred destination for the LGBT community, makes it one of the cities that register the most HIV cases in the state.
“In the first place is the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara, then Zapopan, and Puerto Vallarta is in third place. In terms of population, we have a lot of fluctuating patients. That is, there are a few months when they are given their medicine, they register, and many of them return to their city of origin,” he said.
He indicated that the treatment of retrovirals continues to be free, and there is no shortage of medicines despite the pandemic. Likewise, free tests and treatments against Hepatitis C are also being carried out.
The world commemorates World AIDS Day on December 1st, when the world comes together to support people living with HIV, and to remember those who have died of AIDS-related illnesses.