New HIV drug breaks male barrier

ZIMBABWE’S newest HIV prevention tool, Lenacapavir, is drawing unprecedented interest from men, a development health officials say could significantly strengthen efforts to reduce new HIV infections.

Speaking at an ongoing media capacity-building workshop on Lenacapavir in Bulawayo, Ministry of Health and Child Care National HIV Prevention Coordinator, AIDS and TB Programme, Mrs Getrude Ncube said the recently introduced long-acting injectable has generated enthusiasm among groups traditionally difficult to reach.

“We have never seen men coming for an HIV prevention intervention the way they are coming for Lenacapavir,” said Mrs Ncube.

Lenacapavir, launched in Zimbabwe in February this year, is administered twice annually to HIV-negative individuals as a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), offering a convenient alternative to daily prevention pills.

Mrs Ncube said the injectable has expanded the country’s HIV prevention options, which already include condoms, oral PrEP, HIV self-testing, voluntary medical male circumcision and prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes.

She emphasised that while newer technologies are generating excitement, traditional prevention methods remain important.

“Condoms are still highly effective, affordable and widely available. We should continue encouraging their use,” she said.

Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID) technical advisor, Dr Pugie Chimberengwa described Lenacapavir as a major breakthrough in HIV prevention.

“Clinical studies have shown that it provides more than 99 percent protection against HIV infection among HIV-negative individuals,” he said.

The media training is being facilitated by Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Health Communicators Forum with support from the United States Government.