Recently, Zimbabwe has approved the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier this year making it the first African nation and third in the world to do so. After regulators in countries like the United States and Australia have already backed the use of the drug.
“CAB-LA may be offered to people at substantial risk of HIV acquisition as part of comprehensive HIV prevention approaches”, the WHO had previously indicated. In July, the global health agency recommended the drug saying that highly effective at reducing the transmission risk among people at most risk of contracting HIV.
The recommendation was reportedly made in light of observing a surge of HIV infections globally, “HIV prevention efforts have stalled, with 1.5 million new HIV infections in 2021…the same as in 2020. There were 4 000 new infections every day in 2021, with key populations and their sexual partners accounting for 70% of HIV infections globally.”
ALSO READ: 700 children dead in Zimbabwe due to measles outbreak, anti-vaxxers remain a roadblock
The key populations WHO was referring to reportedly include sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and transgender people. According to the local media, in most African nations sex workers and people from the LGBTQIA+ community are often overlooked in the context of access to healthcare because of “laws and societal segregation.”
According to WHO, the intramuscular injectable long-acting form of PrEP has to be administered with the first two injections four weeks apart, followed thereafter by an injection every eight weeks. CAB-LA injections every two months are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of contracting HIV said the report.
In a statement the WHO has also welcomed this decision and called it a “crucial step” for the African nation, adding that they would support them “to design and develop programmes so that CAB-LA can be implemented, safely and effectively, for greatest impact”.
ALSO READ: Scientists have discovered Africa’s oldest dinosaur named Mbiresaurus raathi in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has seen Aid-related deaths fall from at least 130,000 in 2002 to 20,000 in 2021, said media reports. Last year the country also launched the 90-90-90 initiative which aims to end Aids by 2030 it refers to 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90% getting antiretroviral treatment and 90% having the virus suppressed.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
