Zimbabwe has been chosen as one of only ten nations worldwide to introduce lenacapavir, a groundbreaking new form of HIV prevention that requires administration just twice a year. The decision marks a historic moment in the country’s decades-long battle against the epidemic, bringing renewed hope to millions at risk of infection.
The initiative is being launched through a collaboration between Gilead Sciences, the United States pharmaceutical giant that developed the drug, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. For frontline health workers and government officials who have spent years grappling with the devastating impact of HIV, the news has been greeted with jubilation.
“This is a game-changer for us,” a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Child Care said. “Zimbabwe has made enormous progress in HIV treatment and prevention, but challenges remain, particularly with adherence to daily regimens. Lenacapavir gives us a chance to overcome that hurdle. Two injections a year is far more manageable for individuals, families, and our healthcare system.”
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable that has shown remarkable promise in clinical trials. Unlike oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which must be taken daily to be effective, lenacapavir offers protection for six months with a single shot. The reduced dosing frequency is expected to significantly boost adherence, especially among young people, women, and marginalized groups who often struggle with the stigma, privacy issues, and consistency required by daily medication.
Medical experts say the injection could transform HIV prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that continues to carry the world’s heaviest HIV burden. By offering a discreet and long-lasting option, lenacapavir could help curb new infections in populations where prevention tools have not always been easily accessible or practical.
Zimbabwe Among 10 Countries Selected to Roll Out Six-Month HIV Prevention Injection
“The evidence so far is staggering,” said one Harare-based clinician. “Clinical trials have shown exceptional efficacy, with protection rates far beyond what we’ve seen before. For patients, this means peace of mind. For health systems, it means fewer interruptions and more efficient use of resources.”
According to UNAIDS, Zimbabwe has made impressive strides in its HIV response over the past two decades. The country has achieved over 90 percent in the global “95-95-95” targets—ensuring that the majority of people living with HIV know their status, are on treatment, and have achieved viral suppression.
Despite this progress, new infections remain a concern, particularly among adolescents and young women. Social stigma, economic hardship, and difficulties in maintaining adherence to oral medication have left gaps in the fight against HIV. Lenacapavir, health officials believe, could address those weaknesses by offering a solution that is easier to manage and less vulnerable to human error.
Civil society organisations echoed this optimism but called for strong education campaigns to ensure communities understand and trust the new injection. “Science alone is not enough,” said an HIV activist based in Bulawayo. “We must tackle stigma and misinformation. People need to know that this is safe, effective, and designed for their wellbeing.”
The partnership between Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund has been praised as a model of equitable health innovation. Historically, life-saving drugs have reached developing nations only years after their introduction in wealthier countries. This time, Zimbabwe and nine other nations have been placed at the front of the line.
“This represents a major shift in global health equity,” a Global Fund spokesperson said. “It ensures that cutting-edge innovations like lenacapavir are not limited to the wealthy, but reach the very communities where the need is greatest.”
Zimbabwe’s rollout of lenacapavir is expected to begin later this year, initially targeting high-risk populations before expanding more broadly. The Ministry of Health has already begun preparing training and distribution frameworks to ensure smooth implementation.
Challenges remain, including ensuring reliable supply chains and sustainable funding, but officials are confident that the benefits far outweigh the obstacles. The introduction of lenacapavir is seen not only as a scientific breakthrough but as a beacon of hope for a future free from HIV.
“This injection gives us a powerful new tool,” said the Health Ministry official. “It brings us closer to ending HIV as a public health threat in Zimbabwe.”
For the thousands of families who have lived under the shadow of the epidemic, that possibility feels closer than ever before.
Source- iHarare
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