A total of 51 people have so far been enrolled on injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) at Gulu Regional Referral hospital.
The injectable which is administered after every two months was introduced at the health facility in August last year according to Christine Akiya, the in charge of the sexually transmitted Infections/Skin clinic at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
Akwiya says the injectable PrEP which was initially targeting 19 people received overwhelming demand from the key population, a group that is at risk of acquiring and spreading HIV.
She explains that despite the injectable being out of stock now, they are bridging treatment with oral prep as they wait on the Ministry of Health to supply more.
The injectable Prep is a game changer in HIV prevention as it reduces the burden of remembering to swallow pills daily.
The Injectable PrEP is currently available at six health facilities across the country including Gulu Regional Referral hospital, Kitgum General Hospital, Dokolo Health Center IV and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital among others.
On Wednesday next week, the Ministry of Health will launch an HIV Prep injectable that lasts six months.
To access the injectable, one has to first be tested and found negative for HIV and their lifestyle assessed to ensure they qualify.
By Justine Muboka
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