Zimbabwe has been chosen as one of ten countries worldwide to introduce lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention medicine that provides long-acting protection against new infections.
The U.S. Department of State, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is partnering with Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to accelerate access to the drug. Lenacapavir is the first injectable medicine for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that is administered only twice a year.
Clinical trials conducted globally have shown that more than 99% of people who used lenacapavir remained HIV negative. The results have raised strong optimism about the drug’s potential to reduce new infections, particularly in high-burden countries such as Zimbabwe.
National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, welcomed the development, describing it as a turning point in HIV prevention efforts. “Zimbabwe has heard the announcement by the U.S. government that it will support the rollout of lenacapavir for pregnant women as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis. We are grateful for this development as it will ensure that babies are born free of HIV, and this moves us closer to achieving the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” he said.
The initial rollout in Zimbabwe will focus on pregnant and breastfeeding women. Health officials said this approach is aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission and protecting children from being exposed to the virus at birth.
According to public health experts, prioritising this group is critical because women and children remain among the most vulnerable to HIV transmission. The twice-yearly injection is expected to ease the burden of daily pill-taking, which has often been a challenge in adherence to traditional PrEP methods.
The collaboration between the U.S. government, Gilead Sciences, and the Global Fund is part of a broader effort to expand access to life-saving interventions in countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Zimbabwe’s inclusion in the program reflects the country’s central role in regional HIV response strategies.
The government has not yet announced a specific timeline for the rollout, but health authorities say preparations are underway to ensure smooth implementation once supplies become available.
