The Program for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) satisfactorily fulfilled its objectives." This was said by the Salta Audit on the performance plan that carried out the local Ministry of Health during the last half of 2012 and the first of 2013.

Broadly speaking, the watchdog noted that "the delivery of medication, milk and supplies to the provincial hospitals is satisfactory." However, "in order to achieve greater effectiveness," the Audit gave some observations with their recommendations.

In general it is observed that the Provincial Unit that conducts the program had in their deposit "medication and, clearly identifiable, expired inputs with the rest of medication which can cause errors." In this regard the provincial agency suggested “storing the expired medicine for its subsequent destruction in a different place."

In some of the hospitals evaluated there were also problems detected with the keeping of medicine that had expired. In San Vicente de Paul, located in Oran, "the head of infections said medication, condoms and milk that arrives is controlled only in quantity but on its expiration date.”

The Hospital Señor del Milagro, located in the Capital of Salta, between 30 and 50% of people receiving medication, miss their deadline for withdrawal set forth by the program. Consequently, "the prescriptions are disrupted."

In response, the report argues that "they must ensure the actions and measures necessary to prevent abandoned or suspended treatments." In the hospital of Oran the body of auditors noted that "access to the pharmacy is open between the hours of customer service by providing income to people outside the industry."

To this it’s added that "the reagents are stored in a refrigerator along with medicines and supplies from other areas in breach of exclusive access to them." Furthermore, "the lack of a proper artifact of laboratory service causes this sector to have to also share coolers."

In this hospital as well as in the Juan Domingo Perón Hosptiral, located in Tartagal "they lack reports on stocks of medication, supplies or substances" of the National Program.

Something similar happened in the Señor del Milagro. Although "the Pharmacy sector was given an online system for monitoring and controlling the drugs it could not be implemented because it was not compatible with the computer equipment that was in place."

The report of the Audit of Salta, approved this year, noted that "the medical records of patients with AIDS are saved along with those of other hospital patients not suffering from this infection." This "increases the risk of violating the confidentiality of beneficiaries, as they can be accessed by foreign employees working for infectious diseases."

As for the advertising campaigns for the prevention of AIDS and STDs that has to be performed by each hospital, the watchdog detected some weaknesses. In the center located in the Capital of Salta there were some signs inside the hospital but the amount of brochures and prophylaxis was scarce. Something similar was seen in the Presidente Perón Tartagal.

In the latter there is a "lack of synchronization with the Provincial Program Unit" it’s noted for referring patients to the Salta Capital and certain timely analysis can be performed.

HIV Numbers

According to data published by the Ministry of Health of the Federal Government it is estimated that there are 110,000 people with HIV in Argentina but that up to 30% of infected people may not know it.

The public system provides antiretroviral drugs to 41,000 people, representing 70% of the patients. The rest receive medication through their social, work or other prepaid health providers.

By 2014 350 places were recorded in the country where medications, including those listed in this report are dealt. Currently there are 651 prevention, counseling and testing centers. The test is the only way to know if a person has HIV or not. To know where the checks are carried out or where to get condoms a telephone line is available 0800-333-3444, free, confidential and anonymous.