Cameroon has launched a pilot programme for a new injectable HIV prevention treatment as part of efforts to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the country.
The programme, which uses long-acting cabotegravir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), was officially launched on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Douala. The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, and attended by health partners, United Nations agencies and media representatives.
The new treatment is given as an injection once every two months. It is designed to help people who are at high risk of contracting HIV by providing long-lasting protection against the virus. Health officials say it will complement existing HIV prevention methods such as condom use, regular HIV testing, counselling and medical follow-up.
Although Cameroon has made progress in the fight against HIV, the disease remains a major public health challenge. The country has an HIV prevalence of about 2.6 percent among people aged 15 to 49, while an estimated 21,000 new HIV infections are recorded every year. Health authorities believe the new injectable treatment will help reduce these infections.
The pilot phase of the programme will first be rolled out in areas with higher HIV transmission rates, including the city of Douala. Officials say this approach will help improve access to the treatment and assess its effectiveness before expanding it to other parts of the country.
The Ministry of Public Health said the programme will be accompanied by medical supervision, public education campaigns and community engagement to encourage acceptance of the treatment and address misinformation about HIV prevention.
The introduction of injectable PrEP is part of Cameroon's National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS Response 2024–2030, which aims to end HIV as a public health threat by the year 2030.
Health experts say the new treatment offers people at high risk of HIV infection another effective way to protect themselves and represents an important step in strengthening the country's HIV prevention efforts.
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