AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest AIDS organization in the US which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia, including twelve clinics throughout California; and Vallarta Contra el SIDA, a respected, local Mexican non-governmental organization, are joining forces with federal, state and local government bodies in Mexico to partner together in a new, free AIDS clinic in Puerto Vallarta -- Mexico's newest community-based comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinic -- which will provide medical care and life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS in the region. The clinic, AHF's second in Mexico (its first opened in Tijuana in October, 2005), was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting and opening celebration this Friday, November 24th. The facility will be known as CAPASITS (Centro de Atencion Ambulatorio Para Infecciones de Transmision Sexual y el SIDA). The clinic is located in a new building situated directly behind the new Regional Hospital in Pitillal. Among those participating in the grand opening ceremony Friday were: Lic. Francisco Ramirez Acuna, Governor, State of Jalisco; Dr. Jose de Jesus Becerra Soto, Secretary of Health; Lic. Evangelina Delgado Rivera, President, Vallarta Contra el SIDA; Lic. Gustavo Gonzalez Villasenor, President, Municipality of Puerto Vallarta; Dr. Rafael Nunez, Director, Regional Sanitaria Jurisdicion VIII; Dr. Patricia Campos Lopez, AHF Deputy Director of Latin American Affairs; Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation; and Jessie Gruttadauria, Director, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Public Affairs Department.

"In keeping with our mission to provide medical care and advocacy to those in need, AHF is honored to partner with such respected federal, state and local Mexican government bodies as well as with 'Vallarta Contra el SIDA' in this new, free AIDS treatment facility to bring HIV/AIDS medical care and anti-retroviral treatment to the community in Puerto Vallarta," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "AHF and its local partners will work together to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to the care and services they need regardless of income level."