By localnew 
New Era in HIV Prevention as South Africa Introduces Long-Acting Lenacapavir
South Africa has introduced a major advancement in the fight against HIV with the rollout of lenacapavir for prevention, a long-acting injectable drug that health experts say could transform HIV prevention efforts in the country.
The announcement has been welcomed by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which described the development as a “historic milestone” in expanding access to innovative HIV prevention tools, particularly for high-risk communities.
Health authorities say lenacapavir offers a new option for HIV prevention that does not require daily tablets, potentially improving adherence and expanding protection for people who struggle with regular medication routines.
UNAIDS has praised South Africa’s leadership in adopting the treatment, noting that the country continues to play a key role in global HIV response efforts. The organisation also highlighted that wider access to long-acting prevention methods could significantly reduce new infections if rolled out effectively.
Officials have emphasised that the introduction of the drug is part of broader efforts to strengthen HIV prevention strategies alongside existing tools such as condoms, PrEP tablets, and awareness campaigns.
Health experts say the success of the programme will depend on accessibility, public education, and ensuring that vulnerable groups are prioritised in distribution.