Karonga to roll out injectable PrEP in November

By George Mponda

Karonga District Hospital will start offering injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in November as part of its intensified efforts to curb new HIV infections in the district.

Clinician in charge of HIV Management and Prevention at the hospital, Kepson Kamanga announced the development during a District AIDS Coordinating Committee (DACC) meeting held on Tuesday in Karonga.

Kamanga said: “The injectable PrEP will provide an additional HIV prevention option, targeting individuals at higher risk of infection such as sex workers and those who test positive for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“Injectable PrEP is designed to offer more convenience for those who struggle to take daily tablets. It involves an injection given every two months, and we are not replacing oral PrEP but expanding choices so that people can pick what works best for them.” Kamanga explained.

He added that before the November rollout, the district health office will hold sensitisation meetings to help communities understand the new service and encourage uptake.

“We want people to know that the injectable PrEP is safe and effective. The goal is not to promote it over tablets but to ensure people have more options in protecting themselves,” he said.

He emphasised that Malawi aims to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030, and achieving this target requires both prevention and effective management of people already living with the virus.

“As a district, we must ensure that everyone living with HIV stays on treatment to maintain low viral loads, while those who are negative continue to stay protected,” Kamanga said, further urging people who do not know their HIV status to get tested.

There are currently 1,857 people living with HIV in Karonga who are not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), a figure Kamanga described as worrisome.

On her part, District Nutrition, HIV and AIDS Officer for Karonga District Council, Pauline Kholo, hailed the move, saying it reflects progress in expanding HIV prevention options in the district.

“The coming of injectable PrEP in November will give people more flexibility and privacy. It’s an important step in our efforts to reduce new HIV infections,” Kholo said.

“As a council, we will work with health officials and partners to promote awareness and ensure accessibility of these services,” she added.

She also called on community members to support ongoing HIV initiatives and fight stigma that prevents people from seeking care.