Zimbabwe has become one of the earliest nations worldwide to introduce a nationwide initiative for lenacapavir, a biannual injectable designed to prevent HIV, representing a significant advance in efforts to eliminate AIDS as a public health crisis.
Douglas Mombeshora formally inaugurated the program on Thursday, describing the occasion as “a landmark moment in Zimbabwe’s fight against HIV.”
Created by Gilead Sciences and granted local approval in November, lenacapavir offers near-complete protection and removes the need for daily oral PrEP, providing a transformative option for individuals who struggle with adherence.
Implementation plan
Supported by funding from the United States and The Global Fund, the first stage focuses on more than 46,000 individuals at elevated risk, distributed across 24 clinics nationwide.
Key beneficiaries include adolescent girls, young women, and sex workers, populations that continue to face higher HIV infection rates.
HIV landscape in Zimbabwe
With an estimated 1.3 million people living with HIV, Zimbabwe ranks among Africa’s most affected countries.
Nevertheless, the nation has met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and successfully lowered HIV prevalence from roughly 34% in the early 2000s to around 12% today.
Community impact
In Epworth, local advocate Melody Dengu received her injection earlier this month and has since encouraged 12 others to follow suit.
“Lenacapavir is the closest thing we have to a vaccine,” remarked Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus