Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
ZIMBABWE has intensified its drive to end AIDS by 2030 with the deployment of Lenacapavir ambassadors following the rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention injection earlier this year.
The initiative enlists people using Lenacapavir (LEN) to share their lived experiences and encourage others to know their HIV status, adopt appropriate HIV prevention methods and take charge of their sexual health.
Among the ambassadors are Lindiwe Jele and Sipho Moyo, both pseudonyms, who are using Lenacapavir as part of their HIV prevention journey.
The long-acting injectable has been rolled out primarily for key populations at increased risk of HIV infection, expanding the range of prevention options available.
Lindiwe Jele, a 29-year-old Bulawayo resident using LEN, said the injectable had given her a prevention option better suited to her lifestyle.
“Understanding HIV means taking measures to protect yourself. Protecting yourself allows you to be in control of your health and your future. The different methods available allow an individual to choose what suits their lifestyle. I chose LEN because it does not have a lot of side effects like Oral PrEP. I chose prevention to protect myself because my health is my responsibility.”
Sipho Moyo, who is in an HIV-discordant relationship, said switching from oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to Lenacapavir has strengthened his commitment to protecting his health and supporting his family.
“My first wife passed away in 2013. Three years later, in 2016, I remarried. Before we got married, my wife told me that she was living with HIV. I accepted her, and together we decided to take the necessary steps to protect my health. As a discordant couple, we use HIV prevention methods. I started on oral PrEP, but I am now using LEN. I encourage other men to know their HIV status, take responsibility for their health, and make use of the HIV prevention options available.”
The Director of Sustainability and Partnerships at the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development, Sara Page-Mtongwiza, said Lenacapavir is strengthening Zimbabwe’s HIV prevention programme by offering a long-acting alternative to daily medication.
“LEN is an important tool that we are adding to our already existing basket of HIV prevention drugs, and it is proving to be a game changer due to the fact that it is not something that you take on a daily basis, compared to Oral PrEP.”
The organisation’s Technical Director, Dr Pugie Chimberengwa said Lenacapavir complements existing HIV prevention methods by providing HIV-negative individuals with additional choices based on their level of risk and personal preference.
“LEN is part of what we call pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP can be oral or injectable. We do have a basket of options that HIV-negative people can use as and when they understand or feel they are at risk of contracting HIV.”
The deployment of Lenacapavir ambassadors marks another step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to broaden access to HIV prevention services and strengthen the national response towards ending AIDS by 2030.
