Arya News - Cambodia is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to implement CAB-PrEP as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that offers multiple options for protection.
PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Health officially announced the introduction of the injectable medication Cabotegravir on June 27, a drug which is designed to deliver pre-exposure prevention of HIV infections. This marks the first time such a service has been provided in the Asia-Pacific region.
Use of Cabotegravir calls for a single injection every two months, providing long-lasting protection against HIV. It is particularly effective for individuals at high risk of infection, including female sex workers, transgender individuals, men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users.
The ministry stated that this rollout represents a new and innovative option for at-risk groups to prevent HIV more effectively. Cambodia is the first country in the region to implement CAB-PrEP as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that offers multiple options for protection.
CAB-PrEP provides an easy and private alternative to daily oral PrEP pills, with up to 95% effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.
The official launch of Cabotegravir was presided over by health ministry secretary of state Youk Sambath, and attended by various relevant institutions and partners. Among the guests was Patricia Ongpin, UNAIDS country director for Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.
Via a statement, UNAIDS Cambodia called the event a “historic milestone” in Cambodia’s HIV response.
“UNAIDS is thrilled and deeply honoured to stand alongside the Ministry of Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, the National AIDS Authority, key populations, people living with HIV, development partners, health providers and civil society organisations to celebrate the official launch of long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as a new and innovative option for HIV prevention in Cambodia,” it said.
Cambodia is now among the first countries in the region to introduce CAB-LA, a revolutionary long-acting injectable PrEP that offers two months of HIV protection with a single dose. By expanding prevention options beyond oral PrEP, CAB-LA empowers individuals with more choice, more freedom and more hope. It’s a game-changer — and a testament to Cambodia’s leadership in public health innovation.
But that’s not all Coming soon: the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) — another groundbreaking, long-acting HIV prevention method designed specifically for women.
According to the National AIDS Authority, in 2024 an estimated 76,000 people were living with HIV in Cambodia. There were approximately 1,200 new infections and 1,000 AIDS-related deaths. The HIV prevalence among the general population remains at just 0.5%.
“New HIV infections are most common among young men aged 15–24 who have sex with men, transgender individuals and entertainment workers,” it warned.
Cambodia continues to strengthen its collective commitment to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. On June 24, 2025, Senior Minister Ieng Mouly, chair of the National AIDS Authority signed a new one-year cooperation agreement with UNAIDS, including a pledged support of $100,000.
Cambodia is on track to meet the global 95-95-95 strategy goals for HIV/AIDS. Currently, 92% of people living with HIV know their status, nearly all diagnosed individuals are receiving treatment, and over 98% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
Since 2010, new HIV infections in Cambodia have dropped by 45% — a significant decline that exceeds the global average and is more than three times faster than the average rate in the Asia-Pacific region.