Zimbabwe Launches Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

Zimbabwe has introduced lenacapavir, a new long-acting HIV prevention drug that requires only two injections per year. The rollout commenced on February 20, focusing on high-risk populations, including young women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.

The initiative is supported by donors across ten African countries, including the Global Fund and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Health officials anticipate that lenacapavir will enhance adherence to HIV prevention compared to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which users often find challenging due to stigma and unpredictable schedules. Constanc Mukoloka, a 27-year-old sex worker, expressed optimism that the injection will help her feel safer and reduce the stigma associated with taking a daily pill.

The program aims to benefit approximately 46,000 people across 24 sites during its initial phase. However, experts caution that the broader impact will depend on funding, health system capacity, and patient follow-up, as the high cost of mass rollout poses challenges across Africa.