The new medication, designed to reduce the risk of HIV infection among individuals, is being tested at two health centers in Kigali: Gikondo and Busanza.
The pilot phase began on January 3 and is expected to last for a year, during which time the effectiveness and acceptance of the treatment will be evaluated. Based on the results, plans for a nationwide rollout may follow.
Dr. Basile Ikuzo, the Director of the HIV Prevention Unit at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), explained that the injectable form, known as Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is administered once every two months.
The treatment offers a significant advantage over the daily oral PrEP regimen, providing a more convenient and discreet option for individuals facing adherence challenges.
'This is not for the general population but specifically for high-risk groups such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), discordant couples, and adolescent girls and young women,' Dr. Ikuzo told The New Times.
The new injection could also help reduce the stigma often associated with daily oral PrEP, particularly among younger people.
Rwanda has seen notable success in its fight against HIV, with new cases dropping from 10,000 annually a decade ago to around 3,000 today.
Dr. Ikuzo emphasized that expanding prevention methods is crucial to continuing this progress.
'This initiative is part of our broader strategy to ensure everyone at risk has access to the best tools for protection,' he added.
Injectable PrEP, like oral PrEP, will be provided free of charge, and the RBC has already begun efforts to raise awareness about this new option. A larger public education campaign is expected to roll out by the end of June, targeting those most at risk.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/health/article/rwanda-launches-pilot-program-for-injectable-prep-to-combat-hiv
