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Zimbabwe has approved the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, the first for Africa.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “CAB-LA may be offered to people at substantial risk of HIV acquisition as part of comprehensive HIV prevention approaches”.

In most African countries, it includes sex workers and LGBTQIA+ communities, sidelined from access to healthcare because of laws and societal segregation.

In June this year, WHO advised countries to take up this initiative after observing a surge in new HIV infections globally.
“HIV prevention efforts have stalled, with 1.5 million new HIV infections in 2021 – the same as in 2020. There were 4 000 new infections every day in 2021, with key populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and transgender people) and their sexual partners accounting for 70% of HIV infections globally,” WHO said at the time.

Research carried out revealed that CAB-LA injections every two months were safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV acquisition.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is one of the organisations involved in Zimbabwe’s HIV/Aids battle.
According to their statistics, HIV prevalence has declined from 26.5% in 1997 to 14.3% to date, which is the fifth highest HIV prevalence rate in the world.

There are fears that with Zimbabwe pushing for an R204-billion (US$12 billion) mining sector target, which will result in accelerated mining activities if health is ignored, the country’s HIV prevalence rate could rise.

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate collapsed in Abuja on Monday.However, Atiku’s Media Aide, Paul Ibe, quickly reacted to the information, saying the PDP flag bearer travelled on a scheduled trip.
Fani-Kayode had earlier written on his Twitter page that Atiku collapsed after he arrived in Abuja from his rally in Kaduna State.

He added that Atiku was flown to Paris for medical care.
He wrote, “After his outing in Kaduna yesterday @atiku fell ill. He complained of dizzy spells & severe pains in his head & all over his body throughout the flight to Abuja. After landing at Abuja airport he collapsed.
“He was flown to Paris for medical attention immediately. God be with him.“For the purposes of damage control they took pictures of him with others the following morning from Paris but please do not be fooled.

“There is something very wrong with the PDP presidential candidate in terms of his health & they don’t want the Nigerian public to know. Pray for him.”
But a statement by Ibe said the former Vice President travelled out on a scheduled trip.
According to the statement, the PDP presidential candidate is billed to meet with the technical partners of one of his business entities that were impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown and the consequent economic downturn.

It added, “The meeting will also focus on conclusive discussions for a planned expansion of its production facility.”