Zimbabwe officially launches lenacapavir HIV prevention injection as U.S. pledges support for 271,000 people in 3 years
ZIMBABWE has officially launched the long-acting HIV prevention injection lenacapavir, with the United States pledging to support access to the breakthrough drug for about 271,000 people over the next three years. Lenacapavir, developed by US pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, is administered as an injection once every six months, offering a discreet and convenient alternative to […] The post Zimbabwe officially launches lenacapavir HIV prevention injection as U.S. pledges support for 271,000 people in 3 years appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
ZIMBABWE has officially launched the long-acting HIV prevention injection lenacapavir, with the United States pledging to support access to the breakthrough drug for about 271,000 people over the next three years.
Lenacapavir, developed by US pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, is administered as an injection once every six months, offering a discreet and convenient alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills.
The jab requires fewer clinic visits, enhances privacy for users and could improve uptake among high-risk groups.
Lenacapavir does not replace antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people already living with HIV.
Speaking at its launch in Epworth Thursday, Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora described the introduction of lenacapavir as a milestone in Zimbabwe’s national HIV response.
“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.
Mombeshora also said while Zimbabwe has made progress, new infections remain high among vulnerable groups, making user friendly prevention options like lenacapavir critical to improving uptake.
“We came from afar but the journey is not yet finished. New HIV infections continue to occur especially among adolescent girls, young women and other populations at increased risk.
“This tells us something important, prevention must fit into real life. If a health solution is too complicated, too demanding or too visible people will simply wont use it and lenacapavir represents a new way of doing things,” Mombeshora said.
Speaking at Overspill Clinic, one of the first clinics to offer the drug in Zimbabwein Harare after the launch, US Ambassador Pamela Tremont said the injectable offers a major boost in the country’s fight against new HIV infections.
“For people at risk acquiring HIV, this prevention offers safe, convenient, private and highly effective protection option.
“United States has plans to support access to LEN for about 271 000 Zimbabweans over the next three years. This could prevent 9 000 new HIV infections which critical to controlling an HIV epidermic in Zimbabwe,” Tremont said.
Zimbabwe is among the first countries in Africa to roll out the drug, following its introduction in countries such as Zambia and Eswatini.
The post Zimbabwe officially launches lenacapavir HIV prevention injection as U.S. pledges support for 271,000 people in 3 years appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
