New game-changing HIV Prevention Options for Women are out of reach in Tanzania
Women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV compared to men, with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) accounting for 80 percent of all new HIV infections in Tanzania, according to USAID. They need access to HIV prevention including the new vaginal ring and injectable PrEP.
In Tanzania, condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision, PEP, and oral PrEP have been approved by the Ministry of Health. As we commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day, we need to extend the prevention package to include new prevention options such as the vaginal ring and injectable PrEP.
Tanzania Needs to Approve the Vaginal Ring Now!
The vaginal ring is a silicone ring inserted into the vagina and slowly releases an antiretroviral drug called dapivirine over 28 days to help protect against HIV at the site of potential infection. WHO recommends that the dapivirine vaginal ring, also called DVR, may be offered as an additional prevention choice for women at substantial risk of HIV infection as part of combination prevention approaches.
Countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Uganda have approved the ring. Thus far, the country has refused its approval and implementation. Tanzania must reverse this decision and fast-track the ring’s implementation making it available to AGYW at high risk of HIV.
Injectable PrEP could be a Game Changer
Injectable PrEP is an antiretroviral drug formulated to be administered by injection once every two months. Injectable PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV and is a longer-acting option compared to oral PrEP. For many people, one jab every two months is a lot easier than taking a pill every day.
Like the vaginal ring, injectable PrEP has been approved by the WHO and granted a license in the US, Australia Zimbabwe, and South Africa, but ViiV, the ring developer has yet to apply for a regulatory license in Tanzania. The Ministry of Health and the regulatory authority must invite ViiV to do this immediately, while also preparing guidelines and working with PEPFAR and the Global Fund to support its implementation.
Young Women Need Choices
As we fight the HIV pandemic, the need to widen the HIV prevention options is key. As shown with birth control, the more options available to women, the more unwanted pregnancies because women can choose the method that best suits them. Likewise with HIV prevention, AGYW needs more options to suit their lifestyles.
For detailed information about the dapivirine vaginal ring and injectable PrEP, go to https://www.prepwatch.org/productsFor media inquiries, contact Catherine Madebe at +255 712519616 or cmadebe@gmail.com
