Argentina expands free HPV testing and municipal HIV prevention plan

The Ministry of Health added a free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test to the "Afternoon of Mammograms" campaign in San Juan, allowing women to receive cervical‑cancer screening alongside mammography services. The initiative aims to detect high‑risk HPV types early, complementing the national vaccination program and regular gynecologic checks.

The national Ministry of Health also issued a technical endorsement for a municipal ordinance in Mar del Plata that would create a Municipal Plan for Prevention, Testing and Early Diagnosis of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The ministry described the proposal as "adequate" and aligned with existing national policies, noting that it would expand free, confidential testing, rapid‑test availability, condom distribution, education campaigns, and systematic epidemiological monitoring.

Both actions seek to improve early detection and prevention of serious health conditions, reduce barriers to access, and strengthen public‑health surveillance in their respective regions.