South Africa Launches HIV Prevention Injection
South Africa has begun rolling out Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given just twice a year, in a major step for the country’s fight against new infections.
Footage shows healthcare workers at the Dr Abdurahman Community Day Centre in Cape Town preparing and administering the injections on Monday, as patients wait to be seen.
Health Officials Highlight Benefits
“It has been shown in research to be highly effective,” said Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Western Cape Health and Wellness. “For a country like ours, this is a very important step in the fight against HIV.”
“Any young person, any person who is pregnant, any woman who wants to protect herself, is able to come forward <…> We also give the six-month injection as an option,” he added.
Cloete said patients must first test HIV-negative and receive counselling before getting the injection. With supplies still limited, health officials are prioritising people at highest risk of infection.
The rollout has begun at 22 clinics in the Western Cape and is being introduced at 360 public health facilities across six provinces.
Access And Cost Remain Concerns
Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, welcomed the launch but warned that price and access could still hold the programme back.
“Lenacapavir has the potential to help end the HIV epidemic, but it won’t reach this potential unless we are ambitious enough,” said Carlota Baptista, a spokesperson for Doctors Without Borders, calling for affordable pricing and wider access to the drug.
Ambitious National Rollout Planned
Health officials say the injection gives people another prevention option in a country where about eight million people are living with HIV. South Africa’s government estimates the medication could reach nearly one million people by the end of 2027, and three million people within three years.
Article by Viory
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