More than four decades have passed since the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was detected in Mexico. Despite advancements in medical science and a global push towards eradicating the disease, HIV and its subsequent development into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain significant public health issues in the country. The persistence of stigma, discrimination, and a lack of sufficient government support exacerbate these challenges.
Globally, optimism has been fueled by the latest report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which suggests that the AIDS pandemic could potentially end by 2030. However, Mexico is witnessing historically high numbers of HIV cases, posing a stark contrast to the global trend. In 2022 alone, the HIV Epidemiological Surveillance System (SVE) of the Ministry of Health reported 17,858 diagnosed cases, marking the highest annual figure in the nation’s history. Over the past five years (2018-2022), four of the years recorded the highest totals of HIV cases in Mexico, highlighting a growing public health concern.
The increasing number of cases annually underscores the urgent need for access to antiretrovirals and specialized medical care. Unfortunately, patients often face shortages of these critical medications within the public health sector. Moreover, legal barriers persist, with ten federal entities imposing restrictions on the right to marry for individuals living with HIV or AIDS.
Despite scientific progress and efforts by social organizations and activists, HIV and AIDS continue to be associated with stigma and discrimination. According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, there were 630,000 deaths from HIV-related causes globally, and 1.3 million new infections were recorded. This underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing the disease, despite advances in treatment and prevention.
The UNAIDS report “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads” suggests that ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030 is possible, contingent upon world leaders committing more resources to patient treatment and human rights protection. “Leaders can save millions of lives, prevent millions of new HIV infections, and ensure that all people living with HIV can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives,” stated Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
In contrast, Mexico faces significant obstacles in achieving these goals. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently highlighted Mexico’s inadequate coverage of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV patients. “Some countries with high prevalence, such as Mexico, are addressing the issue of treatment coverage, but the region remains far from the goal of treating 90 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS,” warned the OECD.
A crucial challenge for Mexico is the issue of early detection and treatment access. The Belisario Domínguez Institute of the Senate of the Republic’s research, “Situation of HIV/AIDS in Mexico,” indicates that between 80 and 85 percent of people with HIV in Mexico receive treatment, leaving a significant portion without adequate care. This gap is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where access to healthcare is often limited.
The research also highlights the discrimination faced by those living with HIV. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has pointed out that ten Mexican states—Chiapas, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, and Sinaloa—have laws that prevent individuals with HIV, AIDS, or chronic, incurable, contagious, or hereditary diseases from marrying or forming a family. These local laws violate Article 1 of the Mexican Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality and prohibits discrimination.
In response, the CNDH issued General Recommendation 48/2023, urging the governors of these states to propose reforms to their civil and family codes to eliminate these impediments. Additionally, civil registry officials are encouraged to adopt interpretations that favor human rights when handling requests from people living with HIV or AIDS.
