Rwanda to introduce injectable HIV prevention drug 

RWANDA—Rwanda has announced that it will introduce an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug in its the fight against HIV/AIDS.

This announcement was made on World AIDS Day, observed on Sunday, December 1, to raise global awareness about the AIDS pandemic. 

According to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), approximately 230,000 people in the country are living with HIV, with 96% of them aware of their status.

Among those who know they are HIV-positive, 98% are on antiretroviral treatment.

However, despite these achievements, Rwanda still records around 3,200 new HIV infections annually, primarily among young people. 

During the World AIDS Day commemoration, Dr. Basile Ikuzo, Director of the HIV Prevention Unit at RBC, emphasized the importance of prevention, especially among high-risk groups such as young people and sex workers.

 “Our country is implementing various measures through the Ministry of Health, focusing on increased awareness among the youth and high-risk groups,” he said.

Dr. Ikuzo also revealed plans to include an injectable HIV prevention drug in the country’s programs by the end of this year. 

Injectable PrEP is a preventive medication designed to reduce the risk of HIV infection in individuals who are not yet exposed to the virus.

 This approach complements Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the disease through education and access to healthcare services.  

Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of RBC, described World AIDS Day as an opportunity to reflect on progress and recognize the work ahead.

He highlighted this year’s theme, “End AIDS, My Responsibility,” as a reminder that combating HIV/AIDS requires collective action from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations. 

Globally, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2023.

In Rwanda, the prevalence of HIV among individuals aged 15-64 is about 3%, according to the 2019 Rwanda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (RPHIA). 

Rwanda has already achieved the ambitious “95-95-95” target set by UNAIDS, ensuring 95% of people with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. 

To build on this progress, RBC has launched a six-month nationwide campaign focusing on raising awareness, increasing access to services, ending stigma, and fostering community collaboration.

The campaign will also address other health challenges, including Mpox, as part of a broader effort to enhance public health. 

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