S Africa launches ‘historic’ HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir

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S Africa launches 'historic' HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir Describing it as an "historic turning point in South Africa's national healthcare", President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday officially launched the long-acting HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, in Secunda. He revealed that 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 high-burden districts were fully prepared to administer the groundbreaking intervention. He described Lenacapavir as more than just a medication, calling it one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs since the introduction of antiretroviral treatment (ART). "To us, Lenacapavir is not just a medicine or a drug; to us it represents a major turning point in South Africa's national story," Ramaphosa said. "It represents the triumph of science over despair. It represents the power of innovation to save lives. And above all, it represents hope." The revolutionary treatment requires only a single injection administered twice a year, providing powerful protection against HIV infection. Ramaphosa explained that this practical intervention would transform lives by dramatically reducing the barrier of daily adherence associated with traditional oral medication. South Africa has set targets for the rollout of the injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The government aims to reach close to one-million people by the end of 2027, with a broader goal of reaching three-million citizens over the next three years. "It is a nation-building target. Every HIV infection prevented is a life protected. A family preserved. A future secured," he said. To ensure the injection is accessible to all, government has partnered with the Global Fund and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). Together with State funding, this investment will contribute R1.3-billion toward the national rollout. The President reiterated South Africa's stance that lifesaving medicines must not be reserved for the wealthy. He affirmed the country's commitment to expanding access through affordable ge