The Buenos Aires government guarantees HIV treatments amid national health crisis.

The recent announcement by the Buenos Aires government to cover HIV treatments and the necessary tests for monitoring has generated a ray of hope in a community that increasingly faces difficulties in accessing healthcare. Following this decision, which will benefit 36,000 people, the provincial Ministry of Health, led by Nicolás Kreplak, aims to address the consequences of the reagent cuts made by the national government in September 2024. These tests are essential for evaluating the progress or regression of the virus, highlighting the importance of maintaining continuity in care for those living with HIV. The interruption of the distribution of reagents for HIV and hepatitis testing by the National Ministry of Health has been met with concern from specialists and organizations working in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Viral load tests, cytometry, and resistance testing are fundamental for adjusting antiretroviral treatments and ensuring their effectiveness. However, the structural crisis within the healthcare system leaves provinces with limited resources and unable to sustain functions that should be the responsibility of the national government. Despite these limitations, the provincial government has decided to lift the restrictions imposed at the national level, ensuring the supply of necessary materials and reagents. Procedures have been specified for sending study requests to reference laboratories, and it has been indicated that patients with social security coverage must carry out their tests in the private sector. This response is seen as a palliative, as it does not resolve the underlying issue, which is the lack of sustainable health policies at the national level. Various non-governmental organizations have denounced the abandonment of preventive health policies, which has had a direct impact on the availability of resources for the distribution of condoms and other essential supplies for HIV and hepatitis prevention. This dismantling of programs has left vulnerable populations unprotected and increased the risk of spreading these infections, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. The closure of key areas within the National Ministry of Health, such as the coordinations for Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis, has triggered a wave of rejection among health professionals and social organizations. The elimination of these structures jeopardizes the advances made in the last decade in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Specialists warn that without effective national coordination, Argentina risks regressing in its fight against infections, leaving thousands of patients without access to adequate treatments. María Eugenia de Feo, president of the HCV Without Borders Foundation, emphasizes that the lack of reagents and communication campaigns regarding viral hepatitis has led to an increase in consultations, reflecting the growing concern of the population about their health. Early detection is key to curbing the spread of hepatitis, but in 2024, few prevention campaigns were conducted, highlighting the state's lack of response to this issue. The impact of these cuts is also felt in tuberculosis, a disease that has been exacerbated by poverty and lack of access to healthcare services. Data reveals an increase in tuberculosis cases in the country, and health actors warn that this situation could worsen if appropriate measures are not taken to ensure diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In light of this situation, social organizations are preparing to take a leading role in the fight for access to health. However, as De Feo warns, it is practically impossible to replace the work that the state should be doing. The capacity of civil organizations is limited, and they cannot substitute the programmatic work required to comprehensively address public health issues. The experience of other countries in the region, such as Brazil, demonstrates that investment in prevention and care can have a significant impact on reducing communicable diseases. The case of the Bolsa Familia program shows that a comprehensive approach to public health can transform the reality of thousands of people, something that should serve as a beacon for health policies in Argentina. With the arrival of the new year, expectations are focused on how the national government will respond to the growing pressure to improve health policies and ensure access to treatments and diagnostics. The community hopes that the eliminated coordinations will be resumed and that clear and sustainable programs will be established to protect the rights to health and life of the most vulnerable. Public health cannot regress; the response is necessary and urgent.