By Hamu Madzedze
Zambia has made history by becoming the first African country to launch the injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP) in their public health system.
Injectable PrEP is a safe and effective HIV prevention tool that provides clients with two months of HIV protection between injections.
AVAC executive director Mitchell Warren said Zambia is the first country in Africa to launch Cabotegravir(CAB) outside research.
"The program is being supported by USAID and PEPFAR and nearly 20 people received their first injection during the launch" said Warren.
Meanwhile Zambia's Minister of Health ,Sylvia Masebo said the donation of the 14,850 vials of injectable PrEP represents hope,progress and a collective determination to create a healthier and brighter future for the people of Zambia.
Over the past ten years PEPFAR has helped in reducing HIV incidence in Zambia from 72 000 new HIV infections per year to 33 000 per year due to the scale up of HIV prevention interventions such as PrEP.
In 2023 nearly 275 000 individuals were initiated on PrEP with more than 114 000 being adolescents and young people aged 15-24.
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