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HIV

South Africa to Roll Out Revolutionary HIV Prevention Method

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

South African Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi announced plans to roll out a long-acting HIV prevention method, lenacapavir, by March 2026. This innovative approach offers six months of protection with just two annual doses, addressing critical gaps in current prevention methods. The Minister emphasized that lenacapavir is a timely and much-needed innovation to help overcome the persistent challenges in South Africa's HIV/AIDS response. Approximately 149,000 South Africans acquired HIV in 2022 and 2023 alone, highlighting the need for effective prevention measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South African government plans to roll out lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting HIV prevention method, by March 2026.
  • The Minister announced that the initial rollout will focus on 23 high-incident districts across six provinces, targeting approximately 360 high-performing public clinics within these areas.
  • The Global Fund has provided a US$29 million grant to support approximately 456,000 initiations over two years, translating into 912,000 doses.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already recommended lenacapavir as an additional HIV prevention choice, marking a significant milestone in global HIV prevention efforts.
  • Key target populations include pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men - groups traditionally most vulnerable to HIV transmission.
  • Pharmaceutical companies like Gilead and six others will produce the jab at US$40 per person per annum, a significant reduction from US$28,000.
  • South Africa actively pursues local manufacturing capabilities, with partnerships with the Gates Foundation and other pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions.
  • The Minister emphasized that the goal is to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032, and that mathematical modelling suggests that if two to four million people use lenacapavir over 12 to 24 months, South Africa could achieve near-elimination of new HIV infections.

Statistics:

  • 149,000 South Africans acquired HIV in 2022 and 2023 alone.
  • The Global Fund has provided a US$29 million grant to support approximately 456,000 initiations over two years.
  • 912,000 doses of lenacapavir will be produced over two years.
  • The cost of lenacapavir will be reduced from US$28,000 to US$40 per person per annum.
  • The goal is to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032.

Sources:

  • South African Department of Health news release (date: not specified)
  • World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on lenacapavir (date: not specified)
  • Global Fund grant announcement (date: not specified)
  • South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and Department of Health roundtable meeting (date: not specified)

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