HIV Prevention Update: Rwanda Introduces 6-Month Injection
Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, announced that a new injection has been found that can protect people from HIV infection for up to six months. He shared this exciting news on Sunday, July 13, 2025, during the monthly Car-Free Day event in Kigali, a public gathering that promotes health and wellness through community sports.
This injection is similar to a vaccine and is expected to become a main topic at the upcoming international AIDS conference, which will be hosted in Kigali.
What Is This New HIV Injection?
The new injection, called Yeztugo, was approved last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (source). According to Dr. Nsanzimana:
“This is a small injection that will be given once every six months and will help prevent HIV.”
He added that this discovery brings great excitement and many people at the Car-Free Day event reacted positively, especially men. He said:
“I see that many are happy! This injection is coming soon, and it will be discussed by experts from around the world right here in Kigali.”
Why Yeztugo Injection Matters in the Fight Against HIV
This new method could be life-changing for many people, especially for those at high risk of infection.
Florence Riako Anam, from the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) (visit GNP+), explained:
“This is one of the biggest scientific steps forward. We hope this new option reaches everyone, so we can reduce new infections.”
Besides Yeztugo, scientists have also developed daily pills that help prevent both HIV and unwanted pregnancy.
A Big Win for Young Women and Girls in Africa
Florence added that young girls and women in Africa often face challenges like:
- Limited access to protection
- High risk of HIV
- Unplanned pregnancies
This new injection and the daily pills can help them stay safe and healthy. It gives women and girls more control over their health and future.
Rwanda’s Plan to End AIDS by 2030
Rwanda is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) (www.who.int) to end AIDS by 2030. The country follows the 95-95-95 strategy:
- 95% of people living with HIV know their status
- 95% of them are on treatment
- 95% of those on treatment have low virus levels, making them unable to spread it
Looking Ahead – A Global Conference in Kigali
The announcement came just hours before a 5-day international AIDS conference set to begin in Kigali. This meeting will bring together global health leaders to focus on new tools like the Yeztugo injection.
Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized that this shot will be one of the top issues discussed. He sees this as a major opportunity for Rwanda and the world to advance the fight against HIV.
For updates on this conference, check Rwanda’s Ministry of Health official site.
Final Message
The fight against HIV is not over. But with new tools like the Yeztugo injection, there is more hope. Rwanda continues to lead by example in health innovation and awareness.
