Uganda is introducing a new PrEP injection for HIV prevention, with the Ministry of Health finalising distribution strategies.
KAMPALA – The Ugandan government has announced it is in the advanced stages of introducing a revolutionary pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection, a significant new tool in the national HIV prevention arsenal. The Ministry of Health is finalising strategies to ensure accessible distribution of the long-acting injection, which is currently priced at approximately 100,000 Ugandan shillings per dose, with one dose administered every six months.
The announcement was made by the Commission's Director General, Dr Nelson Nsoba, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre. Dr Nsoba clarified that the injection is not intended for all HIV-positive individuals, but will be prioritised for key and vulnerable populations. These include serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not), sex workers, and survivors of sexual assault. To ensure equity, the government plans to collaborate with development partners to provide the injection free of charge to these groups.
"This intervention represents a leap forward in our biomedical prevention efforts," stated Dr Nsoba. "By targeting those at the highest risk, we can dramatically alter the course of the epidemic."
The press conference also served to highlight a major milestone in Uganda's long-standing battle against HIV. A newly released report from the Commission shows a dramatic 60% reduction in new infections, falling from 94,000 in 2010 to 37,000 currently.
Despite this progress, the data reveals a troubling gender disparity. Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of new infections. The report attributes this vulnerability to a combination of biological factors, high rates of domestic violence, engagement in transactional sex, and involvement in relationships where they have limited power to negotiate safe sex.
Jacqueline Makoka, the UNAIDS Country Director, expressed strong commitment to the government's strategy. "We stand firmly with Uganda in its bold plan to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The introduction of this injection is a critical step on that path," Makoka affirmed.
Echoing the need for a multi-faceted approach, Dr Ruth Senyonyi, Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission Board, issued a direct appeal to men. "We call upon our men to be pillars of support in this fight," Dr Senyonyi urged. "This means embracing HIV testing, supporting their pregnant spouses, and playing a decisive role in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the virus."
The collective message from the health leadership is clear: while Uganda has made remarkable strides, the final push toward elimination requires the strategic deployment of new technologies like the PrEP injection, coupled with sustained efforts to address deep-seated social and gender inequalities.
