HARARE, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government on Thursday officially launched Lenacapavir, a long-acting antiretroviral injection, to strengthen the country's HIV prevention efforts.
Speaking at the launch in Epworth, a community on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora said the injection marks an important milestone in Zimbabwe's national response to HIV, and signifies Zimbabwe's commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat.
He said over the past two decades, Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing HIV-related illnesses and deaths. However, new HIV infections continue to occur, especially among adolescent girls and young women.
"This tells us something important: prevention must fit into real life," Mombeshora said. "If a health solution is too complicated, too demanding, or too visible, people simply won't use it. That is why innovation in prevention matters."
Lenacapavir revolutionizes HIV prevention by removing the burden of taking prevention pills every day, as well as the stigma associated with taking pills, he said, adding that a strong policy foundation has been laid down to support the rollout of the injection.
Lenacapavir is given twice a year, resulting in fewer clinic visits and more privacy, the minister said, underscoring that the injection complements and does not replace other HIV prevention options. ■