Malawi Introduces Injectable PrEP to Curb HIV Spread
"Injectable PrEP will be offered to only those that are at risk of contracting the disease after doing clinical assessment," said Chimwemwe Mablekis, NAC's director of HIV and AIDS programs.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawi's Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Commission are rolling out injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) at six health facilities in Blantyre and Lilongwe to reduce new HIV infections among high-risk groups, writes Abraham Bisayi.
The U.S. government has provided 9,000 doses of the long-acting injectable PrEP medication, which offers protection from HIV for about two months per injection, said Dr. Rose Nyirenda, the Health Ministry's director of HIV and AIDS.
"We have planned to implement this project of administering injectable PrEP in six health facilities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, later we will expand the same in other remaining districts in 2025," Nyirenda said Monday.
New HIV infections continue among key populations like sex workers, adolescent girls and young women despite Malawi cutting its overall HIV incidence rate in half from 2015 to 2021, according to survey data.
"Injectable PrEP will be offered to only those that are at risk of contracting the disease after doing clinical assessment," said Chimwemwe Mablekis, NAC's director of HIV and AIDS programs.
Oral PrEP pills have been available in Malawi but require strict adherence.
The injectable version remains in the bloodstream for an extended period.
The facilities offering injectable PrEP include Chilomoni Health Centre, Limbe MACRO Clinic, Naperi Drop-in Center in Blantyre; and Area 25 Health Centre, Bwaila Hospital and Area 47 Drop-in Center in Lilongwe.
Health officials say the long-acting PrEP will be combined with other proven prevention methods like condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision and behavior change campaigns in Malawi's fight against HIV/AIDS.