Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
The introduction of the long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine, Lenacapavir, is set to strengthen Zimbabwe’s combination HIV prevention strategy by complementing existing tools that have helped drive down new infections over the years.
Speaking on the significance of the new option during the official launch of the new drug, Director of the AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi, said Zimbabwe’s HIV response has long been guided by the principle that no single intervention can end the epidemic.
“When I say combination prevention, I mean that one tool might not be enough to prevent the acquisition of HIV. For many years, Zimbabwe has been guided by this simple principle that no magic bullet or single intervention can end HIV. However, we can reduce new HIV infections by combining different proven biomedical, behavioral, and structural interventions,” he said.
He explained that behavioural interventions include abstinence, monogamy and reducing concurrent sexual partnerships, while biomedical approaches cover HIV testing and counselling, treatment, proper and consistent condom use, management of sexually transmitted infections, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Dr Mugurungi said PrEP has become a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s prevention toolkit, with the country progressively adopting all four options recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Zimbabwe introduced oral PrEP in 2016, the dapivirine vaginal ring in 2021 and long-acting injectable cabotegravir in 2024.
The addition of lenacapavir further expands the range of choices available to those at risk.
“It is important to note that Zimbabwe has consistently been among the first countries in our region to adopt and roll out oral PrEP, vaginal ring, cabotegravir, and today, lenacapavir. But let me emphasise that lenacapavir is an addition to our PrEP options. It does not come to replace, but to complement the existing options, and thereby strengthening our prevention package,” he said.
PrEP is strictly for people who test HIV negative and is designed to prevent infection. PrEP is also not a cure for someone who is living with HIV.
“It is not a vaccine. And most important, it does not replace your responsibility to make responsible decisions to protect yourself and those that you love,” said Dr Mugurungi.
