Cameroon has launched a pilot programme for Cabotegravir (CAB-PrEP), a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, as part of efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The programme was launched in Douala on Thursday, July 9, with Public Health Minister Manaouda Malachie announcing that the injection, administered once every two months, is up to 95% effective in preventing HIV infection.
He said the drug is not intended to replace condoms, regular HIV testing or medical follow-up, but to complement existing prevention measures, particularly for people at high risk of infection. The pilot will initially be rolled out in areas with the highest HIV transmission rates, beginning with Douala.
The launch follows the release of a national HIV survey on Tuesday, which showed that 96.4% of diagnosed people living with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment, while 95% of those receiving treatment have achieved viral suppression. The survey also estimated that about 501,000 people, representing 3% of Cameroonians aged 15 and above, are living with HIV.