AfricaZimbabwe Becomes First African To Okay Injectable HIV Prevention...

Zimbabwe Becomes First African To Okay Injectable HIV Prevention Drug

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

Zimbabwe has approved the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, making it the first for African country.

Zimbabwe Becomes First African To Okay Injectable HIV Prevention Drug
A staff holding preparation kits| Africanews Petros Giannakouris/AP

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “CAB-LA may be offered to people at substantial risk of HIV acquisition as part of comprehensive HIV prevention approaches”.

In most African countries, it includes sex workers and LGBTQIA+ communities, sidelined from access to healthcare because of laws and societal segregation.

In June this year, WHO advised countries to take up this initiative after observing a surge in new 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 (sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and transgender people) and their sexual partners accounting for 70% of HIV infections globally,” WHO said at the time.

Research carried out revealed that CAB-LA injections every two months were safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV acquisition.

Read Also: 100m People Can Be Rescued From Poverty By 2025 – UN

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is one of the organisations involved in Zimbabwe’s HIV/Aids battle.

According to their statistics, HIV prevalence has declined from 26.5% in 1997 to 14.3% to date, which is the fifth highest HIV prevalence rate in the world.

There are fears that with Zimbabwe pushing for a R204-billion (US$12 billion) mining sector target, which will result in accelerated mining activities if health is ignored, the country’s HIV prevalence rate could rise. (Africanews)

newswebbs
newswebbshttps://newswebbs.com
New Webbs is an independent online news platform launched with the aim of connecting the world with the latest news on the web.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest news

Nigeria, ECOWAS Members, have Rare Minerals – Tuggar

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated that the country and some members of the Economic Community of...

PenCom: Newspaper Owners Owe Journalists Over N720m Unpaid Pension Contributions

Abuja, Nigeria - The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has raised alarm over widespread non-compliance with the Pension Reform Act...

Nicolas Sarkozy: Former French president Loses Prestigious “Legion of Honour Award”

Following last year conviction of corruption and influence peddling, former France’ President, Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his Legion of...

Governor Soludo Calls for Progressive and Ethical Rebirth in Rebuilding Nigeria

AWKA, NIGERIA - On Nigeria's Democracy Day, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, who delivered a thought-provoking speech...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Akabanga Lagos Becomes Exclusive Distributor of Rwanda’s Iconic Chili Oil in Nigeria

LAGOS NIGERIA - Akabanga Lagos has officially become the sole distributor of Akabanga Chili Oil in Nigeria, following its...

SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc Hosts 38th Annual General Meeting, Approves 2024 Dividend Payment

LAGOS, NIGERIA - SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc, a member of SUNU Group has successfully hosted its 38th Annual General...

Must read

- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you