The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) says the newly launched Science for Long-Acting Injectable PrEP will assist Malawi in combating HIV and AIDS as a significant public health concern by 2030.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval for Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention method in 2021 and Malawi plans to initiate a pilot program in the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre before rolling out the treatment nationwide.
In an interview with MIJ Online Uchechi Roxo, Coordinator for US Presidency Emergency Plan for HIV and Aids Relief, Malawi Mission said the US government is closely working with the government of Malawi and the Gates foundation by procuring the injectable to reach roughly ten thousand Malawians at risk of HIV & Aids.
Roxo mentioned that the injectable will tackle certain issues faced with oral PrEP and reduce the frequency of administration.
On the other hand Halima Daudi, Deputy Minister of Health said the long-acting injectable represents a significant milestone in HIV prevention, signaling a new era for Malawi in ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
