Mbabane – Eswatini has become one of the first African countries to receive Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, marking a major step in the country’s fight against HIV. The milestone was celebrated on Tuesday during an official handover ceremony attended by government officials and global health leaders.
The first batch of Lenacapavir, provided by the Global Fund, has been delivered to the Central Medical Stores. The drug is expected to be rolled out nationwide after the official launch on December 1, coinciding with World AIDS Day. The rollout will receive support from the United States Government, with additional consignments planned.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Apollo Maphalala received the shipment from Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands. Also present were Daniel O’Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences, which manufactures Lenacapavir, and Marc Weinstock, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy.
“Lenacapavir ushers in a new era of possibility,” Maphalala said. “As a long-acting injectable administered just twice a year, it offers a discreet, convenient, and highly effective method of HIV prevention. For many of our citizens who face challenges with daily pill-taking, frequent clinic visits, or stigma, this innovation represents more than a medical breakthrough it is a lifeline.”
Lenacapavir is designed for individuals who struggle with adherence to daily oral PrEP or face social barriers in accessing prevention services. It is the first HIV prevention injection of its kind and only needs to be administered twice a year.
Peter Sands praised Eswatini’s leadership in adopting the treatment. “Today, we mark another historic milestone,” he said. “I want to congratulate Eswatini for being among the first two low- and middle-income countries on the continent to receive Lenacapavir. The Global Fund remains fully committed to supporting Eswatini’s HIV response and ensuring that innovations like this reach those who need them most.”
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