Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Camagüey, October 14 – A few years ago, Alfredo made the decision to share his life with Enrique. However, their story took an unexpected turn when they learned that Alfredo was HIV-positive. The fear of putting his partner's health at risk filled every step of their relationship with insecurity. Fortunately, a health initiative offered them a new opportunity.
Since 2019, Cuba has begun gradually implementing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), an antiretroviral medication intended for HIV-negative people at high risk of exposure to the virus.
According to Dr. Roberto Leyva González, a specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine and a Master in Infectiology, who works at the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology in Camagüey, "for decades, the prevention project has focused on the use of condoms and other methods. While the condom is essential for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), PrEP constitutes an additional layer of protection."
The province offers access to these medications through confidential STI/HIV consultations. PrEP use is a personal decision that each individual must make. “To select candidates, we prioritize those who, in the previous six months, have had unprotected sex with HIV-positive partners without antiretroviral treatment, or who have risk factors.
We also consider HIV-negative pregnant women with HIV-positive partners,” explains Dr. Leyva. Additionally, we include men who have sex with men, transgender people, and those who engage in transactional sex, as well as those who self-identify as being at substantial risk for HIV.
The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP, for its acronym in Spanish), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is strengthening the health sector's capacity to offer this service. Solid foundations have been laid to expand access to PrEP throughout the country, providing antiretroviral medications, consultation equipment, condoms, rapid HIV testing, and communication efforts.
"Right now, my viral load is undetectable," comments Alfredo. "PrEP has given me more self-confidence and has provided me with knowledge on how to take care of myself and my partner; of course, I maintain other protective measures."
Although it is still too early in Camagüey to obtain conclusive epidemiological results and the implementation of PrEP is relatively new, a high impact on prevention within vulnerable population groups is already being observed. However, even though this medication involves no financial costs or painful or invasive procedures, there are still few people seeking this very promising treatment. (Lenisbel Iracema Espinosa Pacheco, Martha Karla Gutierrez Pacios, Viviannes María Yumar Leyva/Journalism Students, Radio Cadena Agramonte) (Photos: Archive)
