Samuel Mbewe
Lusaka- Zambia -The Ministry of Health has announced that 1,560 individuals have received the injectable HIV prevention drug, Cabotegravir (CAB), as of last week, under Phase One of the project.
According to Dr. Chimika Phiri, HIV Prevention Lead at the Ministry of Health, the program currently operates at two sites in Mazabuka, Kitwe, UTH, and Chibombo.
Speaking at the MESICA Editors Science Café meeting, Dr. Phiri revealed that Phase Two has expanded to include Nakonde, Chipata in Eastern Province, two sites in Livingstone, Kapiri Mposhi, Matero in Lusaka, and plans are underway to launch another site in Solwezi, bringing the total number of sites to 21.
Dr. Phiri noted that the Ministry recently received an additional donation of the injectable drug from the United States government.
However, he highlighted that accessing these drugs is currently challenging due to limited manufacturing sources, with the US government being the sole provider.
Dr. Phiri says Zambia is the only country in Africa implementing this injectable HIV prevention program.