Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora is expected to officially launch the long-acting HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir today.
This marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to curb new infections and expand access to next-generation prevention options.
The rollout begins with a phased introduction across health facilities in 12 high-burden districts, targeting populations at increased risk of HIV infection, including adolescent girls and young women, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Lenacapavir, administered twice a year, provides six months of protection per dose, offering an alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Zimbabwe was selected in 2025 as one of the first countries in the region to introduce Lenacapavir under a global early access programme.
The initial phase aims to reach about 46 500 people, with plans to expand nationwide as more supplies become available.
Peter Tanyanyiwa