IN a major boost to the fight against HIV and Aids, Zimbabwe has been selected as one of the 10 countries globally to roll out lenacapavir, which is described as one of the most promising new HIV prevention tools that have emerged, offering protection against the virus with just twice-yearly injections. The ground-breaking intervention by the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), through an initiative by the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria, is expected to provide lenacapavir to up to two million people in countries with high burdens of HIV across the world. The US embassy in Harare announced the development in a statement yesterday.
“For decades, we’ve fought to turn the tide against this epidemic and each day we get closer. Through a partnership with US-based @GileadSciences and @GlobalFund, we’re delivering lenacapavir, the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine,” the statement said. “In a large-scale clinical trial more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative.
While this has the potential to save millions of lives, here in Zimbabwe it represents a major step towards ending new infections.” The embassy said by focusing on pregnant and breastfeeding women, the intervention was protecting the next generation. “By strengthening healthcare systems, we’re empowering Zimbabwe to lead its own fight against HIV. “And by making lenacapavir more affordable and accessible, no one is left behind,” the statement said.
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Gilead scientists have spent 17 years researching and developing what became lenacapavir. Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini yesterday applauded the development, adding that the rolling out of the drug would start next year. “The medicines can be available maybe in a few weeks to come, but when a new thing comes in, we need to sensitise the people, we need to train people,” he said. Kwidini said Zimbabwe would ride on its established structures and infrastructure for the successful roll out of the drug.
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Source: NewsDay
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