Zimbabwe has been selected as one of ten countries worldwide to introduce lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that is administered twice a year.
The development marks a major milestone in the country’s ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS.
The initiative comes through a partnership involving U.S.-based Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund, with Zimbabwe chosen as a priority country in the global rollout. Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine, offering a long-acting alternative to daily pills or frequent injections.
Clinical trials have shown remarkable results, with more than 99 percent of participants on lenacapavir remaining HIV-negative. Health experts say the treatment has the potential to save millions of lives globally and significantly reduce new infections in Zimbabwe, where the epidemic has long posed a public health challenge.
Authorities say the program will place particular focus on pregnant and breastfeeding women, aiming to protect the next generation from HIV transmission. In addition, efforts are underway to strengthen local health systems and ensure that the drug is both affordable and accessible to all.
Health officials welcomed the development, describing it as a “critical step” toward achieving Zimbabwe’s goal of ending new HIV infections.
“This breakthrough not only brings a powerful new tool in prevention but also strengthens our capacity to lead the fight against HIV,” one official said.
Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing HIV prevalence in recent years, and the introduction of lenacapavir is expected to accelerate the country’s progress toward epidemic control.
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