Long-lasting, injectable HIV prevention drug set for roll-out in Nigeria

The use of cabotegravir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, is set to be introduced and launched in Nigeria. This is considered a safe and highly effective prevention option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Funmi Adesanya, Country Coordinator for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), revealed this during a media interactive session to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day. She said it will be part of a comprehensive care and support program for people at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Adesanya explained that PrEP is highly effective for serodiscordant couples and key populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, and sex workers, helping to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV.

She added that PrEP will also be included in comprehensive care and support for individuals affected by gender-based violence in Nigeria, as it serves as an HIV prevention tool.

Adesanya emphasized that after the launch of PrEP, its promotion will be crucial to ensure that individuals, particularly those facing gender-based assaults or other challenges, can access PrEP quickly.

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“Oftentimes, when I’ve spoken to young women who have experienced rape or similar issues, they’ve said they didn’t know about PrEP. It breaks my heart, because while the resources and commodities are available, the challenge often lies in access and awareness.”

The PEPFAR Country Coordinator also noted discrepancies in program data regarding the number of people living with HIV in Nigeria. Outputs from the latest HIV impact assessment show a gap in the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS goal, which aims for 95% of people living with HIV to know their HIV status.

She said, “The data has shown us that we needed to clean and recalibrate it, which now reveals a gap in the first 95. While efforts to reach the 95-95-95 goal by 2025 are somewhat delayed, we still have hope and the ability to reach the 2030 target. The key is identifying individuals who still don’t know their HIV status. We must work in partnership with communities and the government to implement policies and create an enabling environment.”

USAID’s Mission Director, Melissa Jones, emphasized the importance of focusing on HIV prevention, particularly ensuring that pregnant women receive the necessary interventions to prevent transmitting the virus to their children. She noted that access to antenatal care and immunization for newborns is vital to giving them a strong start in life.

Jones also highlighted the need for individuals living with HIV, especially those from marginalized communities, to have access to HIV care and prevention services. She stressed that political will, leadership, and clear investments from the community are crucial to sustaining the progress made in HIV control in Nigeria.