INSPIRING: The human right to protection - vaginal ring approved in South Africa
This ring let's women protect themselves from being victims in the HIV pandemic...
When COVID-19 came into being, all other illnesses and viral infections and diseases took a backseat. Which is totally understandable. However, these infections didn't just stop because a newer pandemic was taking the spotlight.
HIV has been a big concern for South Africa and Africa for many decades. So as much as the spotlight has been on COVID-19, the effects of HIV and the research on preventative methods has still being ongoing.
On that note, it was a progressive move for the nation as the approval of the vaginal ring has been announced for women over 18 in South Africa.
"The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) okayed the use of the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring by adult women — a move which has been described by local HIV experts as a 'game changer in HIV prevention'." (Times Live)
The ring is meant to serve as a means of protection for women against the HIV strain. It releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine for a month and is said to reduce HIV infection by 35%.
The ring has received positive feedback and approvals from the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the European Medicines Agency. Just those stamps of approval is huge for the advancement in HIV prevention research.
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Check out a video below explaining a bit about the vaginal ring.
Courtesy of YouTube:
Image Courtesy of YouTube