malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
Zimbabwe has sold over 113 000 dapivirine rings as of September this year under the ‘DapiRing’ brand.
According to the Population Council and Institute of People Management, the dapivirine vaginal ring is now approved or authorized for use in 11 countries.
The Population Council’s senior Director for strategy and commercial relations said: “Women need a variety of choices for HIV prevention at different stages of their lives and the ring could be a critical option.
“This ring will complement existing HIV prevention tools and circumvent well-documented challenges that adolescent girls and young women face in taking pills daily.
The flexible silicone ring which is worn in the woman’s private parts for a month slowly releases daprivirine, a long-lasting HIV prevention tool for women that is moderately effective.
In 2021 the World Health Organisation recommended the dapivirine vaginal ring as a prevention method for women at substantial risk for HIV.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu