Argentina and Colombia confront rising HIV late diagnoses

In Argentina, late HIV diagnoses have reached a record 49% of new cases, prompting a national campaign that links football enthusiasm during the 2026 World Cup with free, rapid testing. Leandro Cahn, executive director of Fundación Huésped, emphasized that “a timely HIV test saves lives” and that early treatment can give patients the same life expectancy as uninfected individuals. The Ministry of Health estimates roughly 140,000 people live with HIV in Argentina, with 6,900 new diagnoses reported in 2023‑2024.

In Colombia, about 203,000 people are living with HIV and roughly 14,000 new diagnoses were reported in 2025. Health experts, including Dr. Andrés Cuestas of GSK Colombia, note that stigma remains a major barrier to early testing, despite advances that allow viral suppression and prevent transmission. The country approaches but has not yet met UNAIDS targets for diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.

Both nations highlight the public‑health challenge of late diagnosis, stressing the cost‑effectiveness of early testing and the need for broader condom distribution and education to curb transmission.