With a mortality rate of 0.03%, West Panama province remains in third place nationally in cases of HIV infection. According to data from the Nicolás A. Solano Hospital, about 1,036 HIV patients attend monthly or quarterly, depending on the medical diagnosis, to receive their medication. The majority of these patients come from the districts of Arraiján and La Chorrera. Unfortunately, as indicated by Dr. Gómez. The official emphasized the need for people with an active sex life to get tested for HIV early to detect the disease and start treatment. "Prevention and abstinence are a matter of self-love, it is a matter of respect for health," said Dr. Gómez, who also advises against mixing alcohol with sexual relations. Meanwhile, the head of the pharmacy at the retroviral clinic in the Nicolás A. Solano Hospital, Magda Espino, said that on average, 30 patients come daily to receive their medication supply. The national HIV program sends medication supplies every three months, and if necessary, an extraordinary supply. Cristina Gómez, deputy medical director of this hospital, stated that in some cases, the patient arrives at an advanced stage of the virus and an advanced stage of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The age range of patients receiving antiretroviral medication is 18 years and older, according to Dr.
