By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s first consignment of the twice-a-year anti-HIV injection, Lenacapavir (Len) arrived at OR Tambo Airport via two shipments from Dublin, Ireland.
The batches reached the country six weeks later than expected, and its fewer doses than what the department of health had ordered.
Lenacapavir is injected into fatty layer of an HIV-negative person’s tummy once every six months and is near perfect in stopping someone from getting the virus through sex.
LEN is registered with the country’s medicines regulator, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said he was enthusiastic about the development, noting that the President will lead the launch.
“This six-monthly injectable has arrived in the country last week Thursday and is expected to expand HIV prevention choices, improve adherence especially amongst the most vulnerable priority groups,” Motsoaledi said.
The arrival of these 37,920 doses represents a significant step forward in South Africa’s ongoing fight against HIV, offering a new layer of protection for those most at risk.
The number of people living with HIV in South Africa continues to rise, surpassing eight million in 2024. This is according to estimates from Thembisa, the leading mathematical model of HIV and TB in South Africa.
There was an estimated 178 000 new HIV infections in 2023/2024 (mid-2023 to mid-2024). Over the same period, around 105 000 people with HIV passed away – 53 000 due to HIV-related causes and 52 000 for reasons not related to HIV.
Of the eight million people living with HIV, around 6.2 million, or 78%, were taking antiretroviral treatment in 2024. Around one in five people living with the virus were thus not on treatment.