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South Africa has received its first shipment of Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention medicine expected to strengthen efforts to curb new infections.
The National Department of Health confirmed that close to 38,000 doses of the six-monthly injectable have arrived in the country, marking a significant development in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Lenacapavir is designed to offer an additional prevention option for people who struggle to access or consistently use existing HIV prevention methods. Health officials say the medication could help improve adherence because it only needs to be administered twice a year.
According to the department, the injection is expected to play an important role in reducing new infections and supporting South Africa’s ambition to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The new prevention tool is particularly expected to benefit vulnerable groups such as young women, sex workers and men who have sex with men, who remain at higher risk of HIV infection.
Department spokesperson Foster Mohale described Lenacapavir as one of the most promising HIV prevention advances in recent years.
“The department will, in the next few weeks, announce the official launch of this game changer where the phased implementation plan will be outlined. Lenacapavir is preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years,” Mohale said.
Health authorities are expected to provide more details soon on how the medicine will be rolled out nationwide as part of the national HIV prevention programme.
