IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVE MABONA, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson
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The Gauteng Department of Health will begin the phased rollout of
Lenacapavir on Monday, 08 June 2026. Lenacapavir is a long-acting
HIV prevention injection that provides eligible HIV-negative individuals
10:35
with protection against HIV infection for up to six months per dose.
The programme is part of a national initiative led by the National
Department of Health and announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa,
aimed at expanding HIV prevention options and helping to end AIDS
as a public health threat by 2030.
Gauteng, which has a high HIV burden and is the most populous
province in South Africa, has been selected as a key implementation
site. In the first phase, the medicine will be introduced at 133
healthcare facilities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni,
Sedibeng and the West Rand.
Lenacapavir is a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis that is administered
twice a year. It offers an additional HIV prevention option alongside
existing methods such as oral PrEP, condom use, HIV testing,
voluntary medical male circumcision, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, and
STI prevention and treatment services.
The province has been allocated stock to initiate 56 079 eligible
individuals between June 2026 and March 2027, with an initial supply
for 18 809 people already delivered. Distribution to districts began on
24 May 2026 to allow facilities to prepare for implementation.
To support the rollout, healthcare workers, pharmacists, programme
managers and data personnel have been trained. Monitoring systems
and clinical guidelines have also been put in place to ensure safe and
effective delivery of the programme.
The first phase will prioritise high-risk groups, including adolescent
girls and boys, young women and men, sex workers, men who have
sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, as
well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Public awareness campaigns, including community dialogues, media
engagement, radio programmes and social media initiatives, will be
used to educate communities about the new prevention method.
The department has emphasised that Lenacapavir does not replace
other HIV prevention methods but rather complements them as part of
a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. Members of the public are
encouraged to visit healthcare facilities for HIV testing, information
and eligibility screening.,
Lenacapavir on Monday, 08 June 2026. Lenacapavir is a long-acting
HIV prevention injection that provides eligible HIV-negative individuals
10:35
with protection against HIV infection for up to six months per dose.
The programme is part of a national initiative led by the National
Department of Health and announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa,
aimed at expanding HIV prevention options and helping to end AIDS
as a public health threat by 2030.
Gauteng, which has a high HIV burden and is the most populous
province in South Africa, has been selected as a key implementation
site. In the first phase, the medicine will be introduced at 133
healthcare facilities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni,
Sedibeng and the West Rand.
Lenacapavir is a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis that is administered
twice a year. It offers an additional HIV prevention option alongside
existing methods such as oral PrEP, condom use, HIV testing,
voluntary medical male circumcision, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, and
STI prevention and treatment services.
The province has been allocated stock to initiate 56 079 eligible
individuals between June 2026 and March 2027, with an initial supply
for 18 809 people already delivered. Distribution to districts began on
24 May 2026 to allow facilities to prepare for implementation.
To support the rollout, healthcare workers, pharmacists, programme
managers and data personnel have been trained. Monitoring systems
and clinical guidelines have also been put in place to ensure safe and
effective delivery of the programme.
The first phase will prioritise high-risk groups, including adolescent
girls and boys, young women and men, sex workers, men who have
sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, as
well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Public awareness campaigns, including community dialogues, media
engagement, radio programmes and social media initiatives, will be
used to educate communities about the new prevention method.
The department has emphasised that Lenacapavir does not replace
other HIV prevention methods but rather complements them as part of
a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. Members of the public are
encouraged to visit healthcare facilities for HIV testing, information
and eligibility screening.,
