Hospital mistreatment and lack of support were two key issues discussed at yesterday afternoon's assembly, held in preparation for a meeting with officials from the National Ministry of Health. As part of organizations or individually, various trans people met yesterday to develop an agenda of HIV-related topics. The meeting was held ahead of an upcoming meeting with officials from the National Ministry of Health, the date of which is yet to be confirmed. All are members of the Front for the Health of People with HIV, which was formed last December to demand better access to medications, reagents, and condoms, among other things.

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The meeting took place in the Blue Room of the Argentine Workers' Confederation (CTA), in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The demands focused on in-hospital care for both inpatients and outpatients. The need to create an observatory to monitor patients and medication delivery was emphasized.

Medical abuse and discrimination

Psychological support and accompaniment were another important point, because many of the hospitalized individuals are alone. The treatment by medical staff, who in most cases do not respect gender identity, was at the center of the debate. “Many of our colleagues are treated badly, feel ashamed, and don't return,” remarked Lara Bertolini, a member of the Lohana Berkins collective.

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Another point addressed at the assembly was the urgent need to implement the Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) Law, both for prevention and for training medical personnel. “The medical discourse is one of heterosexual hegemony and ignores other sexualities and gender identities,” said Bertolini.

Representation

To generate changes that improve the quality of life for transgender people living with HIV, they will propose to the Ministry of Health authorities that they work directly with representatives of the community to develop specific public policies. In the coming days, a second meeting will be convened with all transgender organizations and individuals to finalize the agenda and select representatives for the meeting with the National Director of Epidemiology and Health Situation Analysis, Jorge San Juan.

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Social mobilization The protests surrounding the HIV/AIDS crisis began two months ago to demand answers regarding shortages of medications, reagents, and condoms, among other issues. As a result of these demands, representatives of the Front met with health officials on two occasions and succeeded in normalizing the delivery of medication. They also obtained a resolution that facilitates access to HIV testing.