Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The SETAC Community Center in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a local non-profit, is celebrating its fourth anniversary. They are having an open house on Tuesday, November 5th between 10 am and 6 pm. It is a great opportunity for everyone to learn about their wide range of services.

SETAC works directly with CAPASITS (walk in center for the prevention and treatment of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases) a federal health care system. They outsource various services to the medical professionals in the CAPASITS network. This includes doctors, psychologists, social workers, and dentists.

SETAC's "HIV Brigades"

The center performs the HIV Rapid Test. They have done over 2500 in the last three years. If a persons tests positive, the SETAC staff helps them get to the CAPASITS office, even if that means driving them, and then introduces them to the doctors, the facilities, and other caregivers. From that point on SETAC is the liaison between them and the CAPASITS clinic.

They not only help people in Banderas Bay, but reach out to the surrounding communities of Tomatlan, Talpa, and Mascota. It is vital that people be tested for HIV as soon as possible so they can start receiving medication and get on a program. SETAC provides transportation and lodging when necessary.

The SETAC staff assists everyone with public health options like Seguro Popular - the Mexican federal health care system. If you meet all the criteria, even if you are American or Canadian, and your forms are approved, you can use it for all your health care needs, including testing, HIV medications, cancer screenings, and more. The staff will help you fill out the forms.

SETAC is very proud of their Dona Leche Program (give milk) which provides milk formula for expecting mothers living with HIV, because the virus can be transmitted through breast feeding. These mothers often need help with buying nutritional supplements, getting lab tests, and x-rays. Seguro Popular and CAPASITS do not cover these and through donations to SETAC, these items can be given to the women in need. They have distributed almost 500 cans of formula in the last two years since this program began.

SETAC's "Dona Leche" Program

Prevention costs a lot less than treating the disease. In the last three years, SETAC has handed out almost 500,000 condoms. These can be picked up at the center and the staff also hands them out during their brigades. They set up booths, tents, and information tables in a colonia's plaza. Throughout the day people are getting tested for HIV and receiving condoms, pamphlets, and advice about the transmission of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and HIV. Education is the key to prevention.

The staff helps their clients however they can. Please consider attending the open house on November 5th at the SETAC Community Center, in colonia Emiliano Zapata, Constitución #427, on the corner of Manuel M. Diéguez, where the buses for Mismaloya line up. Local phone, 322-224-1974, email contacto@setac.com.mx @ Their regular hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. Visit their site setac.com.mx.

The purpose of the SETAC Community Center, located at Constitucion #427 and the corner of Manuel Dieguez on the South side of Puerto Vallarta, is to provide essential services to the community, including physical and mental health treatment, referrals, and education in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC.