Kwara State Launches Free Long-Acting Anti-HIV Injection

On Tuesday, Kwara State officially launched a free long-acting anti-HIV injection, lenacapavir, at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin. This initiative is part of the federal government's broader strategy to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Kwara is one of eight states selected for this phase, alongside the Federal Capital Territory. Dr.

Amina El Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, described the rollout as a significant advancement in HIV prevention, noting the state's ongoing burden despite progress in treatment and testing. Lenacapavir, administered biannually, targets HIV capsid to prevent viral replication and addresses adherence challenges associated with daily oral medication.

The introduction of this drug aligns with Kwara's health strategy to expand access and improve service delivery. Dr.

Oluwatosin Fakayode, Director of Public Health at the Kwara State Ministry of Health, emphasized that this development marks a milestone in the state's health sector and aims to protect individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection.