By
Jamilu Abubakar
The Gombe State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Fund and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has officially launched LENACAPAVIR, also known as LEN PrEP, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention administered twice yearly.
Speaking during the launch, the Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdurrahman Shuaibu, said the agency would train health workers, intensify supervision, and create awareness at the grassroots level to address myths and misconceptions surrounding the new injectable drug.
Dr. Shuaibu disclosed that Gombe is the eighth state selected for the rollout of the HIV prevention injection, saying the drug is designed for HIV-negative individuals to help prevent new HIV infections, especially among people considered to be at high risk.
The Director Disease Control at the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mustafa Musa, explained that the drug is safe and targeted at people with high-risk behaviors to help prevent the spread of HIV infection.
On his part, the Programme Manager of the State Viral Hepatitis and STI Control Programme, SASCP Mohammed Sanusi, described the injectable as an important addition to HIV prevention strategies in the state.
He said the drug is currently available at designated centres including the Gombe State Specialist Hospital and Kaltungo General Hospital, and urged eligible individuals to take advantage of the opportunity.
The event featured the administration of the HIV prevention injection to some beneficiaries and other activities.
