Quintana Roo Offers Free HIV Tests to Pregnant Women to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission

Quintana Roo — Pregnant women in Quintana Roo now have access to free HIV testing as part of a statewide initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the virus. The program aims to ensure early detection and immediate treatment for any positive cases, reducing the risk of transmission to newborns to zero.

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and Juan Luis Mosqueda, head of the National Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (CENSIDA), have established that early pregnancy testing is the most effective tool to combat this public health challenge. The state administration prioritizes a humanistic model focused on prevention culture to protect Quintana Roo families.

The protocol requires all pregnant women to include HIV testing as part of their essential prenatal care. Free testing is available at:

• IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute)
• IMSS-Bienestar system
• State hospitals across Quintana Roo

If a test returns positive, patients receive immediate access to specialized medication regimens. Mosqueda confirmed these actions are part of a national policy promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum and Health Secretary David Kershenobich, designed to make HIV transmission to babies entirely preventable through proper medical intervention.

During the last annual cycle, Quintana Roo conducted approximately 70,000 detection tests, identifying nearly one thousand positive diagnoses. These figures highlight the direct link to treatment, allowing diagnosed individuals to maintain normal quality of life under constant medical supervision.

Authorities emphasize the need to eliminate social stigma surrounding HIV, urging the public to prioritize collective health over prejudice. The humanistic approach aims to create an environment where prevention is central, ensuring health rights are exercised without discrimination and with full state support throughout the clinical process.