Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
ZIMBABWE’S efforts to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030 have received a major boost, with journalists undergoing specialised training on Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable drug being hailed as a potential game changer in HIV prevention.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with development partners, is conducting a four-day training programme in Bulawayo to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to accurately report on the novel HIV prevention and treatment drug.
Administered once every six months, Lenacapavir has the potential to transform the country’s HIV response. Health authorities say informed and accurate reporting will be critical in promoting public understanding of the drug and addressing misinformation.
Technical Director for the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development, Dr Pugie Chimberengwa, said the training seeks to ensure journalists are well-informed and able to communicate factual information to the public.
“We want to capacitate you as the Fourth Estate so that you can disseminate accurate information. I believe this exercise will also help us dispel myths and misconceptions that are being perpetuated on social media about this novel HIV injectable drug,” he said.
During the training, journalists participated in breakout sessions designed to assess and deepen their understanding of the long-acting injectable medication.
Participants acknowledged the importance of the programme in strengthening media coverage of HIV-related issues.
“As health reporters, we play a crucial role in informing the public about the country’s fight against HIV,” said one journalist.
“This is an important training programme as it equips us with the knowledge needed to report accurately on the new injectable HIV drug,” said another participant.
Ministry of Health and Child Care National HIV Prevention Coordinator, Mrs Getrude Ncube, said Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths over the years.
“Over the years, we have made great progress in reducing the number of new infections and AIDS-related deaths. We have come a long way since the first case of HIV was recorded in the country in the 1980s,” she said.
With Zimbabwe targeting the elimination of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, health experts believe Lenacapavir could play a pivotal role in achieving that goal.
Stakeholders say the media remains a critical partner in the fight against HIV, with accurate reporting helping to shape public understanding, challenge stigma and support the adoption of life-saving interventions.
