Zambia led the way as the first sub-Saharan African country to introduce CAB-LA, a new WHO-recommended HIV prevention drug, earlier this year. Now, Rwanda is following suit, with plans to administer the first injections in Kigali by the end of the year. The announcement came on December 24 from Dr. Basile Ikuzo, head of Rwanda’s HIV prevention unit.
CAB-LA, a long-acting injectable treatment, is set to replace the daily oral PrEP pills currently offered to people at high risk of contracting HIV. Unlike the daily tablets, CAB-LA requires only one injection every two months, offering a more convenient and less intrusive option. Dr. Ikuzo highlighted the potential benefits: “Some individuals on oral PrEP miss doses, reducing its effectiveness. With injections, we hope to improve adherence, enhance effectiveness, and reduce stigma.”
Currently, more than 10,000 people in Rwanda are on PrEP, including sex workers and partners of HIV-positive individuals. CAB-LA’s introduction will begin on a trial basis at two sites in Kigali, with approximately 1,000 doses available initially. “If the acceptability is high and results are positive, we will monitor outcomes over a year and look to scale up the program nationwide,” Dr. Ikuzo explained.
Rwanda has maintained an HIV prevalence rate of around 3% in recent years, thanks to robust prevention and screening efforts. According to the Ministry of Health, these initiatives have halved new infections in less than 15 years. The rollout of CAB-LA is seen as another milestone in Rwanda’s ongoing fight against HIV.