PRE-Exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, commonly known as PrEP, is expected to be available in the country by the end of this year.
PrEP, explained UNAIDS Pacific Advisor Renata Ram, is a form of HIV medication, and a form of prevention usually given to high-risk individuals including sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and women with low negotiating power for safe sex.
“It can be taken in different forms – through a tablet, it can have the injectable form, or you can have what is called a vaginal ring, so it’s similar to the contraceptive implants that people use.”
She said PrEP prevents the spread of HIV in the blood, but it had to be used as a combination.
“It doesn’t mean that you’re on PrEP that you don’t have to use a condom, that you can use dirty needles, no, because you still place the risk of other infections.
“This only helps prevent against HIV, nothing else.”
Ms Ram said PrEP was not available in the country yet.
“We can’t just introduce something without seeing how well it would work in the country.”
She said consultations were carried out to determine people’s preferences between tablets and injections, and what form of PrEP they were likely to use if it were introduced. People were also consulted about their preferences for government, HIV and NGO clinics.
“It has been very effective in many countries, it has shown to reduce HIV infections by over 50 per cent in some countries.
“So, it’s a very powerful tool, and it’s a form of prevention.”
