PrEP, PEP to be accessed by all: Govt

GOVERNMENT has announced that preand post-exposure prophylaxis — HIV prevention drugs — will now be accessed by everyone to ensure that the reviewed 95-9595 goals are achieved.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is short-term anti-retroviral treatment to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure, either occupationally or through sexual intercourse.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout the body. It is highly effective for preventing HIV if used as prescribed, but it is much less effective when not taken consistently.

PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90 percent.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government will vigorously promote HIV self-testing, index case testing, PrEP and PEP for every citizen.

Dr Moyo said these drugs will be made available in an endeavour to reduce new incidences, particularly among adolescents, as Government moves closer to achieving the 95-95-95 goals.

“In pursuit of fulfilment of our theme this year, my ministry will strengthen all high impact HIV prevention services fulcrumed on the Combination HIV Prevention Strategy. In addition to prevention of mother-to-child transmission, condom promotion and distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision and social campaigns for behaviour change, we will vigorously promote HIV self-testing, index case testing, pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis for the entire population and most at risk groups. While promoting HIV testing among the entire population, there are specific population sub-groups that we must prioritise – such as sex workers, prisoners, youth(s), adolescent girls and young women as well as mobile workers who have greater chances of exposure to risk,” he said.

Minister Moyo urged Government to continue allocating foreign currency to the Health and Child Care Ministry so that pharmaceuticals get adequate drugs .