Zimbabwe has commenced the administration of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, becoming one of the first countries globally to roll out the innovative medication in its fight against new infections.
The country’s Health Minister, Douglas Mombeshora, announced the launch on Thursday, describing it as a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s national HIV response strategy.
“Today marks an important day in Zimbabwe’s national response to HIV. We gather here to launch lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable option for HIV prevention, and to show our commitment to protecting life and ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.
The programme, funded by the United States government and the Global Fund, will initially target over 46,000 individuals considered to be at high risk of contracting HIV. The rollout will take place across 24 health facilities nationwide and will be implemented in phases.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is administered as a subcutaneous injection twice a year. Health officials believe the drug could significantly improve prevention efforts by addressing adherence challenges associated with daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills.
Community response to the new initiative has already been encouraging. Melody Dengu, a community leader in Epworth, a suburb of Harare, revealed that she received the injection earlier this month and has since mobilized others.
“I have also (so far) gotten 12 other people to come and get injected,” she said during the launch event.
Zimbabwe continues to carry one of Africa’s highest HIV burdens, despite significant progress over the last decade. Expanded testing, treatment, and prevention campaigns have led to a steady decline in new infections.
The southern African nation has also achieved the 95-95-95 treatment targets set by UNAIDS, meaning 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
Officials confirmed that Zimbabwe received its first batch of lenacapavir earlier this month and has already administered doses to early adopters ahead of the official nationwide rollout.
Health authorities say the introduction of the twice-yearly injectable offers renewed hope in accelerating the country’s drive to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat.
