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Newly installed leadership at the Municipal Council for the Prevention of AIDS is rolling out a sweeping overhaul of the city’s HIV response, unveiling a work plan that centers on rapid testing, targeted prevention for the most vulnerable communities, and tighter coordination with public agencies, clinics and civic groups — all aimed at cutting new infections, expanding care and pushing toward zero AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
Alfredo Soria, who took over as director of COMUSIDA at the beginning of November 2025, used the opportunity to present the institution’s new Work Plan to civil society. The plan is based on six core pillars:
- Prevention and control of HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases through timely detection, prioritizing high-risk groups: men who have sex with men, people who are incarcerated, trans people, sex workers, and injecting drug users.
- Inter-institutional coordination with other public bodies like IMSS, ISSSTE, CAPASITS; civil associations; and the private sector.
- Promotion and dissemination to increase knowledge and generate awareness for HIV infection prevention.
- Care, linkage, and accompaniment for individuals who receive a positive test result.
- Generating greater citizen participation through public dialogue sessions, community support networks, and volunteer opportunities.
- Ensuring adequate resource management for the institution’s operation, as well as transparency.
This program aligns with the vision and objectives of UNAIDS, which this year has called on the world’s countries to transform and intensify their HIV response programs and increase funding to meet the goal of reducing AIDS-related deaths to zero by 2030.
Key Facts about HIV/AIDS
In line with the challenge of fighting misinformation, here are some important facts and updated data regarding HIV and AIDS:
1. Distinguishing HIV from AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that attacks the immune system. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of the viral infection. Thanks to modern treatment, most people with HIV today will not develop AIDS.
2. Transmission and Treatment
Transmission occurs through unprotected anal or vaginal sex, blood transfusions, sharing contaminated needles (in healthcare settings or for injecting drug use), and from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Oral sex is considered a low-risk sexual activity for HIV transmission.
Access to antiretroviral treatment to control the virus in Mexico is free through public health institutions (like CAPASITS, IMSS, ISSSTE). A person with HIV who achieves an undetectable viral load can live a lifespan and quality of life virtually equal to that of any other person, and as noted, they cannot transmit the virus sexually.
3. Modern Prevention Tools:
- PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): A pill taken daily or on-demand by HIV-negative people to prevent infection. It is highly effective.
- PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): Medicine taken within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to prevent infection.
- U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable): An individual with HIV who is on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and has an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus through sex.
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