Argentina

Key Results in 2022-2023

Facility- and community-led combination HIV prevention programmes were scaled up for vulnerable and key populations through capacity building of service providers and awareness raising initiatives.
Access to quality services for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in primary health care improved through the implementation of rapid and dual HIV and syphilis testing guidelines.
A study on the social situation and access to healthcare services for women living with HIV aged 45 and over in Buenos Aires generated critical evidence for addressing stigma and discrimination and improving their sexual and reproductive health.

Joint Programme Results

In 2022-2023, the Joint Programme in Argentina focused on improving access to quality HIV services among key populations, in particular combination HIV prevention. For instance, the latest national combination HIV prevention implementation plan establishes clear guidelines for the expansion of prevention, rapid testing and treatment services among adolescents, young people and key populations (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat). In addition, the Government introduced female condoms in the public health system and 10 000 brochures with information on their use and benefits were distributed to healthcare facilities (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat).

Community-led HIV prevention programmes and peer support were strengthened in Buenos Aires, Jujuy, Mendoza and Tucumán cities through capacity building sessions organized by the Joint Programme. This initiative resulted in the initiation on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of around 3500 people in 2022-2023 (WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat). Multisectoral teams of health, human rights and social development professionals improved their knowledge of combination HIV prevention strategies, rapid HIV testing and referrals, and social protection policies for key populations, particularly sex workers, transgender women and other people from the LGBTQI+ community. Access to sexual and reproductive health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) information and referral services was strengthened in remote areas of Misiones and Santiago del Estero through the establishment of networks of youth promoters. This was complemented by the training of 56 adolescents and young people and 38 accompanying adults on the promotion of these services in partnership with Fundación Huésped (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat). Adolescents and young people also designed social media messages and spots to raise awareness on condom use for HIV and STIs prevention (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat).

Access to and quality of HIV testing services, including for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV, in primary healthcare facilities considerably improved following the implementation of rapid HIV/syphilis dual testing guidelines for healthcare providers and technical support from the Joint Programme (UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat).

The Argentina chapter of the Global Alliance against Stigma and Discrimination strengthened its institutional capacity and implemented political advocacy and awareness creation initiatives in six provinces, thanks to the Joint Programme’s support (WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat). Besides, a study on the social situation and access to health services for women living with HIV aged 45 and over in Buenos Aires was conducted by the local network of women living with HIV with the Joint Programme’s support. The study identified discrimination and other socioeconomic challenges preventing women from accessing healthcare services and formal employment. It also tackled the difficulties experienced by healthcare providers to address women’s sexual and reproductive health needs during their post-reproductive life and aging process; and took note of the inadequate focus on this group in the national HIV and STI response (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat).

The Joint Programme supported monitoring of the implementation of the new National Law on the Comprehensive Response to HIV, Viral Hepatitis, other STIs and tuberculosis (Law 27 675), ensuring the rights stated are properly enforced and the law is adopted and implemented at provincial level (UNDP, UNAIDS Secretariat). In addition, technical guidance for the promotion of rights of transgender and non-binary girls, boys and adolescents was launched in Mendoza, Tucumán and San Juan to support the development of more inclusive policies (UNDP, WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat). To further address stigma and discrimination in the country, 32 journalists, influencers and communicators improved their capacity to report on HIV-related issues, through a newly developed course entitled “How to Communicate HIV” (UNFPA, WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat).