A new era in HIV prevention is taking shape in Malawi, with about 2,000 people already receiving the long-acting PrEP injection just weeks after its introduction.
The injectable medicine, Lenacapavir, was rolled out earlier this month and is now available in health facilities across the country, offering people at risk of HIV a prevention option that requires only two injections a year.
Ministry of Health HIV Prevention Coordinator Martin Kapito said demand for the injection is growing every day as more Malawians become aware of the new service.
“We have so far reached about 2,000 people since the rollout this month, and the numbers continue to increase daily,” Kapito told the local news.
Health rights advocate Maziko Matemba described the introduction of Lenacapavir as a significant milestone in Malawi’s HIV response.
He said the long-acting injection could help reduce new HIV infections by making HIV prevention more convenient, especially for people who struggle to take daily oral PrEP tablets.
Lenacapavir is administered once every six months, providing continuous protection against HIV with just two injections a year.
The Ministry of Health says the injection is now available at health facilities across Malawi as part of efforts to expand access to effective HIV prevention services.
