? Watch out! In Ecuador, you can access HIV treatment free of charge in the public health system. Regardless of your nationality or whether you have ID documents or not.
If you have a certificate ?with your HIV diagnosis, issued in any country, you can go to a Unidad de Atención Integral de VIH (Comprehensive HIV Care Unit) – UAI (in Spanish) ?and apply for treatment?. To find out the available UAI, check out this document:
If you don’t have a certificate or if you suspect you’re living with HIV, go to the nearest health facility and ask for an ?HIV test.
If you have had problems accessing HIV treatment, if you need support to get closer to the public health system or need any support from a specialized organization, you can contact Diálogo Diverso, Kimirina, Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad, Asociación ASIRIS Imbabura, Colectivo LGBTIH Somos Diver@s, Care and the MovihLízate organization.
Care for people living with HIV
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministerio de Salud Pública (Ministry of Public Health) has provided that:
- You will receive priority attention from outpatient consultation, where they will be able to take you through analytical monitoring tests if necessary and viral load ?and CD4 tests.
- To get your medication, ?you can go to the pharmacy of the Unidad de Atención Integral (Comprehensive Care Unit) you were referred to. If, because of the measures decreed by the health emergency, you cannot get close to the UAI you were referred to, you will be able to go to the nearest location. You will be provided medication for up to three months, according to availability.
- You may delegate a person for medication withdrawal by means of an authorization letter ✍ ?and the presentation of the identity document of the person living with HIV.
Remember! ?Public health services in Ecuador are free. All people have the right to access these services, regardless of their nationality, migration status and whether or not they have identity documents.
If you have had problems accessing HIV treatment, if you need support to get closer to the public health system or need any support from a specialized organization, you can contact Diálogo Diverso, Kimirina, Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad, Asociación ASIRIS Imbabura, Colectivo LGBTIH Somos Diver@s, Care and the MovihLízate organization.
Specific information for pregnant women
In order to preserve the health of pregnant women diagnosed with HIV and newborns exposed to HIV, the Government has provided that:
- Every pregnant woman ??will be tested for HIV.
- Every HIV-positive pregnant woman will receive treatment to prevent transmission to her baby and for her pregnancy.
- A C-section delivery will be ensured according to the date scheduled.
- If the newborn has no complications, the health facility will provide breast milk substitutes (formula) ?and ?anti-retroviral treatment for 2 months, according to availability.
Remember! ?Public health services in Ecuador are free. All people have the right to access these services, regardless of their nationality, migration status and whether they have identity documents.
If you have had problems accessing HIV treatment, if you need support to get closer to the public health system or need any support from a specialized organization, you can contact Diálogo Diverso, Kimirina, Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad, Asociación ASIRIS Imbabura, Colectivo LGBTIH Somos Diver@s, Care and the MovihLízate organization.