Over 55,000 Individuals Begin Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Treatment

Pretoria: The Department of Health (DoH) has announced substantial progress in the distribution of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable medication designed to prevent HIV. Officially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi in June, Lenacapavir has been introduced to 360 public health facilities across 24 districts within six provinces. According to South African Government News Agency, more than 55,123 individuals had initiated treatment with Lenacapavir as of September 7, 2026. This reflects a strong demand for this long-acting HIV prevention option, with 71% of recipients being females, primarily pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Gauteng province leads with the highest number of initiations at over 26,357, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 11,941, North West with 4,479, Western Cape with 4,446, Mpumalanga with 4,294, and Eastern Cape with 3,606. The rollout has been a collaborative effort involving provincial Health Departments. Healthcare workers and implementing p artners are actively monitoring uptake, commodity availability, quality of service delivery, client follow-up, and safety. Lenacapavir is offered as part of a comprehensive PrEP-choice program alongside other HIV prevention options. Lenacapavir has received approval and registration from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority as a safe and effective method for preventing HIV infection. The approval followed a thorough review of preclinical, clinical, and manufacturing data. Individuals experiencing serious or persistent adverse events after receiving the injection are encouraged to report these promptly to healthcare workers at their nearest health facility. The Department of Health remains committed to the safe, responsible, and evidence-based implementation of Lenacapavir and other medical products. This commitment is supported by strengthened pharmacovigilance, clinical monitoring, and rapid investigation of any serious adverse events.