One in three people living with HIV in Latin America does not know they have the disease

One in three people living with HIV in Latin America does not know it, mainly because of the stigma of this disease and has not & # 39; there is no culture & # 39; prevention, Said Carlos Magis, Mexico's National Center for prevention and control of HIV / AIDS (Censida).

"There are still delays in diagnosis despite the fact that today people diagnosed and treated at & # 39; timely to waiting & # 39; high life", Said Magis, director & # 39; comprehensive care for Censida.

The doctor explained that with current treatments, the life expectancy amounted to 40 years in & # 39; & # 39 with infected people; this virus.

Brenda Crabtree Ramirez, local president of the International AIDS Society (AIDS), said The violence, stigma and inequity of access to prevention and information have become the most important obstacles to overcome.

"It is a fact that unless nittrattawx against this, the AIDS epidemic can not & # 39; & # 39 b is attacked, effectively", It stated.

Experts said that between The people who have less detection are mainly elderly men and heterosexual.

"Especially in & # 39; this latter group, are slow to perceive that they are in & # 39; risk because there is a big stigma of this disease", Said Juan Sierra, head of the department of infettoloġija in Mexican Institute of Medical Technology and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán.

In Mexico, according to data of & # 39; Censida, just over 141,000 people are currently on antiretroviral treatment by 1996 and decreased mortality, although there are 5,000 deaths a year for this disease.

"With the offer treatments in the Ministry of Health, patients become better and 51% & # 39; those diagnosed and treated reduce viral load in & # 39; six months'Magis said.

He added that One of the weaknesses that the region has it that pharmacy tests are not yet available for the population, Which in & # 39; countries like the United States are available to anyone who wants to take a & # 39; quick test.

He added that the reduction in cost of treatment is very useful in & # 39; countries such as Mexico, where Spending on treatment & # 39; HIV takes one third of the fund & # 39; catastrophic costs & # 39; Seguro Popular.

"Public policies should be aimed at improving access to treatment and one option is to reduce costs, make consolidated purchases & # 39; drugs and allow more drugs arrive in Mexico, "he said.

He explained that in & # 39; regions such as Africa, the treatment cost is & # 39; $ 100 a year, thanks to the fact that generic antiretroviral therapy is based on; while in Mexico the cost amounts to 2,000 dollars because it is based on drugs & # 39; patents.

Sierra said that patients with HIV in Mexico, in addition to stigma and discrimination, must face a & # 39; adverse health system to follow treatment.

"Unfortunately we have a fragmented health system and is very useful for people who have illnesses to be treated for life. Sometimes institutions are an obstacle to the necessary continuity in the treatment of & # 39; HIV"He said.