NewKerala.com

South Africa's HIV Breakthrough: New Twice-Yearly Injection to Save Lives

South Africa has launched an innovative HIV prevention injection that could transform the country's fight against the virus. The new drug called Lenacapavir only needs to be administered twice a year, making it much easier for people to stay protected. Health authorities will prioritize giving the injection to those most at risk, including young women and sex workers. This breakthrough comes as South Africa continues to battle one of the world's highest HIV infection rates.

Key Points: South Africa Launches Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Injection

  • New injection provides six months of HIV protection with just two doses annually
  • Initial rollout targets adolescent girls and other high-risk populations
  • Global Fund invests $29 million for 912,000 doses over two years
  • South Africa continues battling high HIV rates with eight million current cases
  • Lenacapavir aims to improve adherence challenges in prevention programs
2 min read

South Africa launches HIV prevention injection

South Africa introduces groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir, prioritizing high-risk groups in major public health advancement.

"This is a pivotal moment for the country - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi"

Johannesburg, Oct 16

South Africa has taken a bold step in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the introduction of a groundbreaking long-acting injectable drug, Lenacapavir, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced.

Speaking at an event held in Johannesburg, Motsoaledi described the rollout of Lenacapavir as a "pivotal moment" for the country, noting that the injection would significantly strengthen South Africa's HIV prevention strategy.

He highlighted the progress the country has made over the past two decades in combating some of the highest HIV infection rates in the world, with about eight million people currently living with the virus. He said this new development further strengthens the ongoing fight and builds on years of progress in prevention and treatment, reports Xinhua news agency.

"South Africa has secured an initial allocation of Lenacapavir through a generous Global Fund grant, but this will only cover a fraction of the total need in the first couple of years. Specifically, the Global Fund's catalytic investment of about 29 million US dollars will provide approximately 456,000 Lenacapavir initiations over two years, translating into 912,000 doses," Motsoaledi noted.

According to the minister, 149,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2023, with women and adolescent girls remaining the most affected. He noted that the injection, administered twice a year, has the potential to address persistent challenges in HIV prevention and is likely to improve adherence among high-risk groups.

He added that the initial rollout would prioritise groups most vulnerable to HIV infections, including adolescent girls, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, female sex workers, and men who have sex with other men.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Twice a year injection is a game-changer for adherence. Many people struggle with daily pills. Hope this technology becomes affordable and accessible in developing countries like ours soon.
S
Sarah B
While this is promising, I'm concerned about the limited coverage mentioned - only 456,000 initiations for a country with 8 million affected. The gap between need and availability is still huge. Hope more funding comes through.
A
Aditya G
Good to see focus on vulnerable groups like adolescent girls and pregnant women. In India too, we need targeted approaches for different demographics. Public health initiatives must be inclusive and stigma-free.
M
Michael C
The Global Fund's support is crucial, but sustainable local funding models are needed. Hope African countries can eventually manufacture such drugs locally to reduce dependency and costs.
K
Kavya N
As a medical student, I find this development fascinating! Long-acting prevention methods could revolutionize HIV control globally. Hope Indian pharmaceutical companies are watching and learning from this rollout.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50