Eswatini rolls out 'game changer' HIV prevention injection: Video
Eswatini has become the first country in Africa to introduce the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir (LEN), marking a major step in the nation’s long fight against one of the world’s deadliest epidemics.
The US-developed drug, hailed by medical experts as a potential “game changer,” has demonstrated near-total protection against HIV in clinical trials. On Thursday, footage from the Lamvelase Clinic in Manzini — one of five distribution centres being set up nationwide — showed patients receiving the injection administered by local healthcare workers.
Harriet Tembie Mamba, spokesperson for the Eswatini National AIDS Program (SNAP), said the rollout could significantly reduce new infections.
“We currently have about 4,000 new infections each year. With Lenacapavir, we hope to reduce that number to 2,500,” she said. “It will also reduce stigma and ease the burden of daily adherence. Clinical trials show it is over 96 percent effective — a real game changer for our country.”
The drug’s convenience is also expected to improve adherence among users. Zakhele Shongwe, who currently uses daily PrEP medication, said the biannual injection will ease the challenges many face.
“It will remain in my system for six months. I won’t have to worry about forgetting doses or keep visiting the clinic frequently, which often discourages people from continuing,” he said.
Eswatini has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. HIV/AIDS was declared a national disaster by King Mswati III in 2002, when antenatal prevalence surpassed 40 percent and over 12,000 people died annually from AIDS-related illnesses. Today, one in four citizens is living with HIV.
The introduction of Lenacapavir is seen as a critical step as the country seeks to curb the epidemic and reduce infections in the years ahead.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
