Rwanda to start administering HIV prevention injection in two months

By The Inspirer.

Rwanda’s healthcare authorities have reported an increase in HIV infections among youth and sex workers. As a response, starting December 2024, the country will launch a program to administer cabotegravir long-acting (CAB-LA), an injectable drug that prevents HIV infection.

CAB-LA, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, is an injection aimed at preventing new HIV infections. Statistics indicate that over 1.3 million people globally are newly infected with HIV each year, with 63% of these cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, nine people contract HIV daily.

The CAB-LA injection is administered every two months, providing an alternative to daily oral pills. This medication works by strengthening the immune system to block HIV from entering and multiplying in cells. Initially, individuals will receive two doses over two consecutive months, followed by regular injections every two months.

According to sources from IGIHE, the program will initially be rolled out at two health centers in Kigali. Priority groups include sex workers, serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not), adolescents, and other vulnerable populations.

CAB-LA was first administered in Zimbabwe in 2022, with Zambia and South Africa later approving its use. However, these countries have not yet begun widespread distribution. Rwanda’s National Health Center (RBC) highlighted that using this injectable method will reduce the stigma faced by individuals taking daily HIV prevention pills.

In recent years, Rwanda has implemented several initiatives to prevent new HIV infections, such as free condom distribution through dispensers placed in urban areas. However, these measures have not achieved the desired results. Outside of dispensers, condoms are also distributed by community health workers, but uptake among youth remains low, with less than 2% requesting them.

Laurence Nirere, a community health worker in Rubavu District, recently told IGIHE that many young people are hesitant to collect condoms due to fear of being judged for engaging in sexual activity.

“They worry we might judge them for taking condoms, so they hesitate. However, through conversations, we emphasize the importance of protection, especially using condoms, as it prevents many diseases,” she said.

Statistics show that youth account for the majority of new HIV infections in Rwanda, with 35% of cases occurring in this demographic, and girls being disproportionately affected. Among the 100 people who die daily in Rwanda, seven succumb to AIDS-related complications.