Africa-Press – South-Africa. South Africa has officially launched the first doses of the drug “Lenacapavir,” designed for the prevention of HIV, in a move described by health authorities as a historic turning point in the fight against the virus in a country that is among the most affected by the epidemic.
The new drug boasts an effectiveness close to 100% in preventing HIV infection, administered as a single injection every six months, making it a more convenient alternative compared to daily preventive treatments that require continuous commitment from users.
During the launch event held at a clinic in the town of Imbalinheli near the city of Sekhukhune, a 21-year-old woman received the first dose of the treatment, attended by South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and a large number of media representatives.
The minister stated that this step represents “a turning point in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” emphasizing that the new drug “changes the game” in the field of disease prevention.
For her part, the young woman who received the first dose expressed her happiness in participating in this event, confirming that the new treatment will help many people at risk of contracting the virus.
Health authorities have distributed approximately 40,000 doses of “Lenacapavir” to 360 clinics and health centers across the country, aiming to expand access to preventive treatment during the first phase of the national program.
The South African president described the drug as “a glimmer of hope” for millions of citizens, noting that more than one in ten South Africans live with HIV. He announced that the government aims to provide treatment to about one million people by the end of 2027.
Despite the widespread celebration of the program’s launch, public health experts pointed out that the currently available quantities remain limited, with the number of available doses not exceeding 40,000.
The South African government continues discussions with the American company Gilead Sciences to obtain a license for local manufacturing of the drug, which would help increase supplies and reduce costs in the future.
Health organizations have also called for intensified efforts to secure additional quantities of the treatment in the coming period, to ensure that as many citizens as possible benefit from this medical advancement, widely regarded as one of the most significant recent achievements in HIV prevention.
