The World Health Organization has praised South Africa for launching the national rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention option. The twice-yearly pre-exposure prophylaxis injection marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce new HIV infections and move closer to ending HIV.
The rollout was launched in Secunda, Mpumalanga province, and reflects South Africa’s commitment to expanding access to effective and people-centred HIV prevention tools. Lenacapavir offers a new prevention option for people who may benefit from long-acting protection rather than daily oral prevention methods.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated the Government and people of South Africa, noting that the country is among the first to move from policy to implementation. He highlighted South Africa’s early supply access, updated essential medicines list, and health system preparations as evidence of strong coordination between government, communities, and partners.
South Africa has long been recognised as a global leader in the HIV response, supported by political commitment, scientific expertise, and community partnerships. The introduction of lenacapavir builds on decades of national progress and shows the country’s determination to ensure that new prevention technologies reach the people who need them most.
By adding lenacapavir to public health programmes, South Africa joins other early adopter countries working to accelerate progress toward ending HIV and reducing health inequities. The rollout is expected to strengthen prevention choices and support broader access to innovative HIV services.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs, said South Africa’s rollout demonstrates continued commitment to innovative HIV prevention. WHO also reaffirmed its support for South Africa’s efforts to expand access to HIV prevention and end HIV by 2030.
The launch of lenacapavir represents an important step in making HIV prevention more flexible, accessible, and responsive to people’s needs. It also positions South Africa as a leading example of how countries can move quickly from policy approval to real-world implementation of new public health tools.
