Malawi Youth Demand Faster Rollout of Injectable HIV Prevention Drug
As Malawi strives to achieve zero HIV transmission by 2030, the implementation of injectable PrEP could play a crucial role in reaching this ambitious goal.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawian youth advocates are calling for the accelerated implementation of injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to combat HIV transmission, highlighting its potential to revolutionize prevention efforts, writes Alinafe Jimmy Mkwezalamba.
During a virtual event hosted by the National Association of Youths Living with HIV (Y+ Malawi) from July 24-26, young activists pressed for broader access to the long-acting HIV prevention medication.
Lusungu Mvula, a youth advocate, emphasized the urgency of the situation. "We cannot afford to wait any longer," Mvula said.
"Injectable PrEP has the potential to revolutionize HIV prevention, and we need to make it available to young people in Malawi as soon as possible."
Currently, injectable PrEP is only offered in two of Malawi's districts: Lilongwe and Blantyre.
Youth advocates are pushing for its expansion to ensure equitable access nationwide.
Ishmael Cibonda Phiri, Project Officer for Y+ Malawi, expressed frustration with the slow rollout.
"Malawi needs to be serious about preventing transmissions, and the pace at which injectable PrEP is being rolled out leaves a lot to be desired," Phiri said.
The virtual hub, a precursor to the AIDS 2024 conference in Germany, brought together young people living with HIV, activists, and stakeholders to discuss youth-centric issues in the context of HIV/AIDS.
This push for injectable PrEP comes as Malawi works towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, aiming to diagnose 95% of HIV-positive individuals, provide treatment to 95% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression in 95% of treated patients by 2030.
Y+ Malawi emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives in HIV/AIDS advocacy, noting that young people are disproportionately affected by the epidemic.
As Malawi strives to achieve zero HIV transmission by 2030, the implementation of injectable PrEP could play a crucial role in reaching this ambitious goal.