Mozambique's health authorities have launched a groundbreaking long-acting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV, known as lenacapavir, which promises to reduce the risk of infections by over 99 per cent. The official launch ceremony took place on Wednesday in the southern municipality of Matola, marking a significant milestone in the nation's efforts to combat the HIV epidemic.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, utilizes anti-retroviral drugs to effectively prevent the multiplication of the HIV virus within the human body. Health Minister Ussene Isse, speaking at the launch, emphasized that the introduction of lenacapavir positions Mozambique among a select group of pioneering countries offering such an advanced preventative measure. This new injectable treatment needs to be administered only twice a year and is specifically intended for individuals aged 15 years and above, offering a more convenient and effective option for HIV prevention.

Minister Isse further elaborated that lenacapavir significantly broadens the spectrum of combined HIV prevention options available in Mozambique. This expansion ensures that citizens have access to increasingly effective and safe methods that can be tailored to their individual needs, thereby strengthening the national response to the virus. The minister also highlighted the pressing need for such interventions, noting that Mozambique recorded approximately 92,000 new HIV infections in 2024, with a particularly concerning 15,000 cases occurring among adolescents and young people aged between 10 and 19.

Gilion Michila, the administrator for the Matola district, underscored the potentially transformative impact of the new medicine, stating that it opens "new possibilities for protection, care, and hope." She urged the local population to actively seek information, engage with health professionals, and share this vital knowledge with their families and friends, stressing that "Every informed decision can change a life."

Echoing these sentiments, Aleny Couto, the Deputy National Director of Public Health, hailed the launch of lenacapavir as a pivotal moment in the country's HIV response strategy. Couto explained that the introduction of lenacapavir builds upon valuable lessons learned from the pilot implementation of another injectable PrEP, cabotegravir, which was trialed in 2024 in the northern province of Nampula. Lenacapavir is viewed as an invaluable addition to the existing arsenal of prevention methods, reinforcing the framework of combined HIV prevention in Mozambique.

The deployment of this new prevention option will occur in phases, initially becoming available in 55 health units across 15 districts in the central province of Zambézia, as well as in Maputo city and province. This phased rollout is a strategic move to strengthen the national strategy for combined HIV prevention across key regions. By adopting this innovative technology, Mozambique is now aligned with other regional countries, including Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, which have already integrated similar advanced prevention tools into their public health programs.