Zim GBC News | Health Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is set to officially launch the phased rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, in Epworth, Harare, on 18 February 2026, in a move that marks a significant milestone in the country’s HIV prevention efforts.
The programme will target more than 46,000 people at high risk of HIV infection in districts with high rates of new cases.
It will initially focus on vulnerable groups, including adolescent girls and young women, sex workers, men who have sex with men, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and others whose social or economic circumstances increase their risk of contracting HIV.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Aspect Maunganidze, confirmed the launch date for the Lenacapavir programme.
“The launch of Lenacapavir is expected to take place on February 18 in Epworth, Harare,” Maunganidze said.
Unlike daily oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered only twice a year, offering greater convenience and potentially improving adherence among at-risk populations.
The rollout will commence in key urban centres including Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, and Chitungwiza, before expanding to districts such as Karoi, Mazowe, Tsholotsho, Kwekwe, Shamva, and Gwanda.
These areas were selected based on high HIV prevalence rates, significant numbers of new infections, and demonstrated strong uptake of oral PrEP services.
Twenty-four health facilities have been identified for the first phase, targeting approximately 46,500 individuals. The initial shipment of Lenacapavir arrived in Zimbabwe two weeks ago and has been cleared by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ).
Zimbabwe was selected in August 2025 as one of ten countries in the region for early access to the drug, reflecting confidence in the country’s health delivery systems.
Nearly 400 health workers have received specialist training in combination HIV prevention, and national data systems have been upgraded to enable real-time monitoring of the rollout.
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