Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE has been selected as one of ten countries worldwide to introduce lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine that is set to transform the fight against new infections.
The U.S. Department of State, via PEPFAR, is partnering with Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to accelerate access to lenacapavir.
Lenacapavir is the world’s first twice-yearly injectable medicine for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), offering long-acting protection against HIV.
In global clinical trials, more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative, a result that has generated widespread optimism.
National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, welcomed the U.S. announcement, describing it as a game changer for maternal and child health.
“Zimbabwe has heard the announcement by the U.S. government that it will support the rollout of lenacapavir for pregnant women as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis. We are grateful for this development as it will ensure that babies are born free of HIV, and this moves us closer to achieving the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.
The rollout will prioritise pregnant and breastfeeding women, a move designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission and protect the next generation.
