WHO Releases New HIV Treatment & Prevention Guidelines: A Bold Step Toward Simplification and Person-Centered Care

July 2025 marked a major milestone in the global HIV response as the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled updated treatment and prevention guidelines during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda. These new recommendations underscore WHO’s commitment to more streamlined, individualized, and equitable HIV care for all.

Key Treatment Updates at a Glance:

1. Protease Inhibitors (PIs):
Darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) is now the preferred PI option. Atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) are now considered alternatives.

2. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs):

• For adults, adolescents, and children over 30kg, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are now the preferred options — regardless of prior exposure.

• For children under 30kg, abacavir (ABC) remains the preferred first-line NRTI, with ABC or TAF also suitable in later regimens.

3. Dual Therapy for ART Simplification:
Dolutegravir + lamivudine (DTG + 3TC) is now recommended as a simplified dual therapy for adults and adolescents with undetectable viral loads — reducing pill burden and potential side effects.

4. Long-Acting Injectables:
For the first time, WHO recommends cabotegravir + rilpivirine (CAB + RPV) long-acting injectables as an alternative ART switch option for virally suppressed individuals. This approach allows for less frequent dosing and can greatly improve quality of life.

Major Update in HIV Prevention: Injectable Lenacapavir (LEN) Approved

WHO has also endorsed injectable lenacapavir (LEN) as a bi-annual PrEP option, making it the first twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention tool. This breakthrough has the potential to dramatically shift prevention strategies, especially for people who struggle with daily pill adherence or face stigma accessing care.

“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

These prevention updates come at a critical time: In 2024, 1.3 million new HIV infections were recorded globally, with key populations—including sex workers, MSM, transgender people, and adolescents—disproportionately affected.

Simplified Testing, Integrated Care & Bold Implementation

To support rollout of long-acting PrEP, WHO now recommends using HIV rapid tests as a public health approach—removing the need for complex procedures and enabling more community-based delivery (through pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth).

Additional key updates include:

• Integration of HIV services with mental health, hypertension, diabetes care, and substance use support.

• Strong recommendation for rapid ART initiation in people with mpox and HIV.

• Updated screening guidance for asymptomatic STIs, especially gonorrhoea and chlamydia in high-risk groups.

What This Means for Nigeria and Beyond

At PeCHIVReT, we believe these new guidelines are a turning point. They represent a move toward HIV services that are more youth-responsive, client-centered, and grounded in real-world needs—particularly in low-resource settings like Nigeria. With over 65% of the global HIV burden in Africa, these changes provide a critical opportunity to enhance access, adherence, and outcomes across our communities.

We call on national stakeholders, health workers, and implementing partners to embrace these updates—and we remain committed to breaking them down, translating them into action, and supporting their adoption across Nigeria and West Africa.

Stay with us as we continue to unpack what these updates mean for policy, practice, and community empowerment.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out via our contact page.

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