The Kavango East Region Health Directorate has launched the national campaign on a newly introduced PrEP injection, which helps prevent the HIV virus.

The campaign is targeting about 200 people in the region.

The pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as oral PrEP, is a medicine that helps prevent people from getting HIV.

Previously, oral PrEP was in the form of pills that are taken daily, but for now the PrEP injection was introduced, and it is given only to those who are HIV negative in risk groups.

A registered nurse at the Rundu Ndama Clinic, Aron Muzala, explained.

“We are so far at 106, so we need at least 94 more clients to come. So, we are supposed to finish all the 200 targets by July. That's why we had to come up with this programme so that we talk to other members of the community so that they help us spend the news, the information regarding the injection that we are having.”

One usually starts with two initiation shots one month apart, followed by a maintenance shot every two months.

“So, first, we need to test you to determine whether you are HIV-negative. Then, for clients who are eligible and able to respond well to the treatment—particularly those who may not have responded well to oral PrEP and those who do not have any liver disease—we can consider other options.”

The MICT team also spoke to some participants, and this is what they had to say.

“I am only aware of the oral one, that is, in the form of pills, so that is the new thing that I have learned. I never knew that they had introduced the new PrEP.”

“To the Namibian boy child, I will still encourage you to please go for testing. Prevention is better than the cure. Make sure that you are safe. Make sure that you know your HIV status.”
“If you take pills, you can end up forgetting because you have to take them at the same time every day. But if you are injected, you can return for another injection after two months. So, to me, it is a very good thing for our students to know about PrEP and condoms. We should promote the use of condoms to help prevent different types of diseases, especially sexually transmitted infections. It is also important for our boys to undergo circumcision, as it can contribute to better health.”

The health statistics show that women are more affected by the HIV virus in the Kavango East region than men.

The PrEP injection is accessible at the Ndama Clinic in Rundu.