Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Uganda is poised to make a significant advancement in its battle against HIV/AIDS with the arrival of its first shipment of long-acting HIV prevention injections this October.
These injections, which offer up to two months of protection per dose, represent a groundbreaking method in the country’s ongoing efforts to prevent HIV.
Uganda, which has long struggled with the impact of HIV, has employed a variety of strategies over the years to curb the virus’s spread, ranging from behavioral interventions to biomedical innovations.
The upcoming introduction of these long-acting HIV prevention injections highlights Uganda’s dedication to achieving global targets to eradicate new HIV/AIDS infections by 2030.
Dr. Herbert Kadama, the PrEP Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the significance of these injections in broadening HIV prevention options.
“Since 2017, Uganda has been proactive in providing oral PrEP to individuals at high risk of HIV. Now, with the imminent arrival of long-acting injectable PrEP, we aim to further enhance accessibility and effectiveness in our prevention efforts,” Dr. Herbert Kadama noted.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the long-acting injectable as a pivotal advancement in HIV prevention, recognizing its high efficacy and ease of use compared to daily oral medications.
Research studies like HPTN 083 and HPTN 084 have demonstrated that these injections can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 79% compared to oral PrEP, addressing the adherence challenges often associated with daily medication.
Dr. Timothy Batuwa, the Shadow Health Minister, highlighted the importance of Uganda’s involvement in global studies to confirm the long-term effectiveness of these injections.
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“Our involvement in ongoing research underscores our commitment to ensuring that all individuals, especially those most vulnerable to HIV, have access to cutting-edge prevention methods,” Dr. Batuwa affirmed.
The Ministry of Health has assured that these injections will be provided free of charge at public health facilities nationwide. However, health experts caution against complacency and stress the need for ongoing vigilance and responsible behavior in combating HIV/AIDS.
As Uganda prepares to receive over 3,000 doses of the new injectable PrEP, anticipation is high among health officials and communities.
The rollout in October marks a new chapter in Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS, bringing renewed hope for a future free from the grip of this devastating disease.
