The Ministry of Health of Uganda has announced intentions to offer Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), a long-acting injectable medication for HIV prophylaxis, beginning in September.
Dr Herbert Kadama, the Ministry’s PrEP Coordinator, indicated that the government anticipates receiving roughly 10,000 pills from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“We plan to begin CAB-LA implementation at seven PEPFAR USAID-supported facilities in September this year. By February 2025, we will extend to four additional sites, thanks to support from the Global Fund,” Dr Kadama stated.
Dr. Kadama stated that when the medicine is injected into the buttock, it slowly releases from the muscle and enters the bloodstream, where it accumulates in the body’s cells and prevents HIV infection. He stated that the drug’s sluggish release is caused by specific components.
Dr. Kadama, speaking at a media orientation on novel PrEP technologies and Lenacapavir research in Kampala, highlighted the need of assessing each individual’s HIV risk before starting therapy.
“If you are HIV-negative and at risk, you will receive the injection every two months as long as the risk persists,” he informed us.
Uganda currently offers two HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options: oral PrEP and the v@ginal ring. Since the introduction of oral PrEP in 2017, the number of users has increased from 800 to more than 700,000.
Meanwhile, 279 women have used the v@ginal ring, which is offered at seven institutions throughout the country, including those in Mbarara, the Eastern area, and the Northern region.
