SETAC (Solidaridad Ed Thomas, AC), the local nonprofit with more than 12 years of community work, has created a clinical analysis lab in Puerto Vallarta specializing in low-cost sexual health to benefit the LGBTQ+ Community and the general population.
Dr. Miguel Buenrostro Guevara, SETAC’s medical director, said that the main service the lab will offer is the detection of up to 11 sexually transmitted infections with only one lab specimen for the patient’s comfort, and it will come with medical and psychological follow-up.
“This service is unique in Puerto Vallarta, because with just one blood-draw procedure, the patient will know via a PCR test if s/he has any one of up to 11 sexually-transmitted infections, such as: herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomoniasis, urea plasma, treponema, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C, among others, and without leaving anyone adrift, because we also give treatment and psychological accommodation,” he explained.
Dr. Buenrostro added that this lab also processes CD4 cell counts to gauge the immune system status of those persons living with HIV, and as such improve their treatment.
“The type of studies that we’re now offering aren’t found in any other local lab,” he said. “For example, the CD4 counts are only done in Guadalajara, and those patients need to wait more than a week to get their results; with us, the response time is now less than 20 minutes.”
As such, Paco Arjona Barbosa, SETAC’s executive director, said that with this new service the organization is reaching its mission to reduce gaps in local health services and to create spaces free of stigma and discrimination.
“As an institution, we promote activities that have a positive impact in society, fomenting the values of solidarity, fraternity, togetherness and service, reflected in our commitment to equality and respect for all,” he concluded.
The services of SETAC’s new lab are offered in Colonia Versalles and in the Romantic Zone, and interested persons can view the website at www.setac.com.mx, send email to [email protected], call 322 224 1974, or send a WhatsApp message to 322 108 9066
