Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 1: With World AIDS Day approaching, conversations around HIV prevention are becoming more open and stigma-free across India, and one term increasingly gaining attention is PrEP. Doctors nationwide report a steady rise in people seeking clarity on whether PrEP is suitable for them — a sign of growing awareness, proactive health choices and a shift towards informed sexual-health discussions.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a preventive medication taken before potential exposure to HIV. It is available both as a daily oral pill and long-acting injectable, the latter administered once every few months. When taken correctly, both forms offer highly effective protection.

According to Dr Sabine Kapasi, CEO at Enira Consulting Pvt Ltd, Founder of ROPAN Healthcare and UN Advisor, PrEP is especially recommended for individuals at higher risk of HIV exposure. She noted that it has emerged as a vital component of modern HIV prevention strategies, complementing condoms, regular testing and early treatment.

In India, interest in PrEP has grown as sexual-health awareness expands and more people seek reliable prevention tools that do not depend solely on partner behaviour or consistent condom use. National guidelines and pilot programmes have further normalised PrEP in clinical practice, making healthcare providers more confident discussing and prescribing it.

The introduction of long-acting injectable PrEP has also sparked interest, particularly among those who find daily pill adherence challenging. Digital initiatives, community outreach and public-health campaigns have helped reduce stigma around HIV, empowering individuals to ask about prevention methods that best suit their lifestyle.

As more Indians learn that PrEP is safe, discreet and effective, it is increasingly becoming a routine topic in medical consultations — marking a significant step towards informed and proactive HIV prevention.