Baja California Sur has administered more than 2,700 free HPV tests across all five municipalities as part of a cervical cancer prevention campaign running through 2026. The screenings are available at IMSS Bienestar public health centers, and no insurance or appointment is required.
State Health Secretary Ana Luisa Guluarte Castro announced the figures during a visit to the General Hospital in Santa Rosalía, in the municipality of Mulegé. She urged uninsured women to take advantage of the program, which specifically targets women aged 30 to 65 for HPV testing. Free Pap smears are also available for women starting at age 25.
Thousands of Screenings Already Completed in 2025
So far in 2025, the state’s public health network has performed more than 4,400 Pap smears and 2,200 HPV tests. The campaign covers the 2025 to 2026 period and is part of a broader effort to reduce cervical cancer rates in BCS.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. High-risk strains such as HPV-16 and HPV-18 are linked to cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers. Early detection through regular screening can catch precancerous changes before they develop into cancer.
No Insurance Needed: What Expat Women Should Know
The program is open to women who lack Mexican social security coverage through IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) or ISSSTE (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado). That makes it directly relevant to foreign residents and expats living in BCS who are not enrolled in either system.
Tests are available at centros de salud (local public health clinics) in all five BCS municipalities: La Paz, Los Cabos, Comondú, Mulegé, and Loreto. Women can walk in during regular business hours without a prior appointment.
IMSS Bienestar is Mexico’s federal health program for the uninsured population. It operates clinics and hospitals in rural and underserved areas, including throughout Baja California Sur.
The announcement was reported by the Baja California Sur state government through its official website, bcs.gob.mx.