The Ministry of Health has launched the phased rollout of the Dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR-PrEP) — a new HIV prevention method for women at high risk of infection in Cambodia.
The rollout was announced on Thursday, October 9, at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, by ministry secretary of state Yok Sambath.
According to the ministry, the official introduction of the DVR-PrEP service marks an innovative new option for at risk women to protect themselves more effectively from HIV infection.
“Cambodia is the first country in the region to introduce the DVR-PrEP service — part of an integrated HIV prevention strategy that offers multiple protection options,” it explained.
During the event, Sambath made several recommendations regarding the implementation of DVR-PrEP services, as well as HIV prevention, care and treatment services.
These included ensuring non-discriminatory service delivery, expanding awareness and education on HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), improving diagnostic and treatment quality at health facilities, strengthening collaboration with community networks and key population representatives, including women and youth.
She encouraged increasing HIV testing and reinforcing the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV.
Sambath expressed gratitude to all of the partners that have contributed to Cambodia’s HIV response, including Cambodian Red Cross President Bun Rany Hun Sen, who serves as the National Champion for the Asia-Pacific Leaders Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National AIDS Authority, as well as various domestic and international partners, including UNAIDS, WHO, US-CDC, FHI360/EpiC Project, KHANA, RHAC, CHAI, AHF and donors such as the Global Fund, the US and Australia, through its DFAT programme.
Patricia Ongpin, UNAIDS country director for Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia, Kirsty Harris, development counsellor at the Australian embassy, and Sim Sophay, deputy secretary-general of the National AIDS Authority attended the launch, along with several other key officials.
Cambodia continues to strengthen its collective efforts in the fight against HIV. On June 24, National AIDS Authority president Ieng Moly signed a one-year cooperation agreement with UNAIDS, which includes a $100,000 support package.
In June 2025, Cambodia also became one of the first countries in Asia to launch the use of Cabotegravir (CAB-PrEP) — a long-acting injectable drug for pre-exposure prevention of HIV infection.
The Kingdom is now on track to achieve the global 95-95-95 HIV targets. Currently, 92% of people living with HIV in Cambodia know their status, almost all diagnosed individuals are on treatment and over 98% of those treated have achieved viral suppression.
Since 2010, new HIV infections have dropped by 45% — a decline much faster than the global average and three times higher than the regional average in Asia-Pacific.
