Zimbabwe To Launch HIV Prevention Injection Lenacapavir On 18 February
Zimbabwe is set to officially launch the phased rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, in Epworth, Harare, on 18 February 2026.
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, homosexuals, 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. He said:
“The launch of Lenacapavir is expected to take place on February 18 in Epworth, Harare.”
Unlike daily oral PrEP, Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention injection given only twice a year.
The rollout will start in key urban centres, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, and Chitungwiza, before expanding to districts including Karoi, Mazowe, Tsholotsho, Kwekwe, Shamva, and Gwanda.
These areas were chosen for high HIV rates, many new infections, and strong uptake of oral PrEP.
Twenty-four sites have been identified for the first phase, targeting around 46,500 people. The first shipment arrived in Zimbabwe two weeks ago and was cleared by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ).
Zimbabwe was selected in August 2025 as one of 10 countries in the region for early access to the drug.
Nearly 400 health workers have received specialist training in combination HIV prevention, and national data systems have been upgraded for real-time monitoring of the rollout.
– _The Sunday Mail_
