Medical

MBABANE – Eswatini is set to receive its first batch of a new HIV injection next month.

This marks a major milestone in the country’s fight against new infections. In this groundbreaking move, Eswatini has become the second country to receive the HIV prevention injectable drug, Lenacapavir, which is expected to arrive in November.

According to credible sources, the twice-a-year HIV prevention injection’s first 500 vials are expected to arrive ahead of the official launch on December 1, 2025 during the World AIDS Day commemoration.

The sources have further revealed that Eswatini will subsequently receive a larger consignment of about E11 million vials in January 2026.

Eswatini follows in the footsteps of South Africa, which became the first country yesterday to announce the official registration of Lenacapavir.

The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) is said to be playing a central role in coordinating this milestone achievement.

The jab is said to be targeted at high risk populations as defined in the National HIV Strategic Framework including adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), young women 25-34, pregnant and breastfeeding women, key population, high risk men and HIV negative people who are interested in an HIV prevention option.

When reached for further details on the facilitation of the anti-HIV jab, Grants Management Unit Director at CANGO Arlerta Ndlela said Eswatini through the Ministry of Health has adopted the breakthrough option of the Lenacapavir (LEN) PrEP and Global Fund committed about E11.1 million for the procurement of the commodity through the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA).

She further explained how CANGO is one of the principal recipients of Global Fund grants in Eswatini, implementing HIV prevention programmes targeting high risk populations as defined by the National HIV Strategic Framework. These grants, according to Ndlela, target high risk populations including adolescents and young women, adolescent boys and young men, key populations in selected target tinkhundla and tertiary institutions in the country.

 “For this initiative, CANGO is working under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and collaborating with other partners including Population Services International (PSI) through Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) funding and the PrEP Core Team to develop demand creation messages for PrEP including the LEN PreP to be used to implement comprehensive and coherent information, education and communication messages for the targeted populations,” revealed Ndlela.

It was further revealed that the Global Fund and Gilead Sciences have entered a strategic partnership to accelerate access to Lenacapavir, the groundbreaking long-acting injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, in the country.

“Gilead has pledged to supply Lenacapavir at no profit in high incidence; resource limited settings until licensed generics can fully meet demand, hence projected that access to Lenacapavir will be available to populations that would not have had the access to this breakthrough option,” elaborated Ndlela.

To prepare for the person-centred introduction of this innovation and ensure that the rights of the targeted populations are respected and protected, CANGO has ensured the full participation of the targeted populations in the initial education and development of PrEP messages that will be used for meaningful engagement and improved access of the new PrEP to those who need it the most. These populations are in the different communities through trained peer educators and digital platforms to accelerate education and demand for the product.

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Global Fund hails Eswatini’s readiness for rollout

MBABANE – The Global Fund has hailed Eswatini’s progress in preparing for the introduction of Lenacapavir.

In a communiqué shared by NERCHA to this publication, Eswatini’s HIV response has once again earned international recognition, as the Global Fund commended the country’s remarkable progress in preparing for the introduction of the LEN PrEP.

The Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria; the main financier for the Lenacapavir rollout, was recently in the country to provide oversight function of the Global Fund grant and assess Eswatini’s readiness for the rollout.

Following meetings and site visits, the Global Fund delegation expressed strong confidence in the preparatory work undertaken by the Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA), CANGO and implementing partners.

“Lenacapavir, unlike daily oral medication, is a long-acting injectable that can be administered just twice a year, six months apart. This breakthrough offers a solution to challenges of adherence faced by many people, especially adolescents, young women and other priority populations,” highlighted Global Fund.

The Global Fund says for Eswatini, a country that has made huge strides in reducing HIV infections and deaths but still carries one of the highest prevalence rates globally, Lenacapavir represents both hope and progress.

Global Fund officials highlighted that Eswatini’s preparations have been exemplary, particularly in how multiple sectors have been mobilised to ensure a smooth rollout.

“We are impressed by the level of coordination, planning and commitment shown by Eswatini. This level of preparedness sends a strong message that the country is ready to embrace innovation and continue leading the region in the HIV response,” the delegation noted.

The Global Fund has further invited members of the core team doing Lenacapavir introduction preparatory work in Eswatini to join them in Lesotho, where they will share the country’s plans and successes with regional peers.

NERCHA and the Ministry of Health emphasised that the rollout will prioritise the needs of populations most at risk, particularly adolescent girls and young women, who remain disproportionately affected by HIV.

“We are determined to make sure that this innovation is not just available but accessible and acceptable to those who need it most,” said Dr Bongani Masango, the Director of HIV Response and Coordination at NERCHA.

*Full article available in our publication.

The funding for the Lenacapavir vials is estimated to be about E11.1 million. (Pic: Courtesy)