Health 23 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gulu Hospital Sees 300% Surge in Injectable PrEP Demand
Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has experienced a 300% increase in uptake of the monthly injectable HIV prevention drug cabotegravir, far exceeding allocated supplies due to effective peer outreach efforts. While demand for the vaginal ring remains low, the hospital bridges shortages with oral PrEP tablets amid growing interest in long-acting options. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gulu-hospital-records-300-percent-uptake-of-hiv-prevention-drug-5400312
Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has recorded a remarkable 300% uptake in the monthly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, cabotegravir (CAB-LA). Launched in August 2025 among seven facilities nationwide, the program received 133 doses intended for 19 clients but served 51 due to overwhelming demand.
Christine Akwiya, assistant nursing officer at the hospital’s STI skin clinic, explained that supplies ran out, prompting staff to provide oral tablets as a temporary measure. ‘The doses meant for 19 people went to 51 clients,’ she noted, highlighting the resource strain.
The surge stems from peer outreach in community hotspots targeting key populations. Outreach includes health education, HIV testing, eligibility screening, and PrEP initiation. Both men and women are accessing services, with injectables given initially, followed by a loading dose after one month and every two months thereafter.
Clients prefer injectables over oral PrEP due to issues like pill burden and noisy packaging. Oral PrEP is offered event-driven for men or daily for those at ongoing risk, while the dapivirine vaginal ring—introduced alongside—has seen low uptake of just 15 out of 50 doses. Challenges include fears of infertility and incompatibility with practices like anal sex.
Uganda’s PrEP rollout began in September 2024, supporting the goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. With 5.5% adult HIV prevalence and 38,000 new infections in 2023, innovations like the upcoming twice-yearly Lenacapavir via US-Uganda partnerships promise better adherence.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)