North West Province administers its first-ever Lenacapavir HIV prevention injection
Brits, North West Province – The North West Province has successfully administered its first Lenacapavir HIV prevention injection, marking a significant milestone in the province’s efforts to strengthen HIV prevention and reduce new infections.
North West Premier Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi, accompanied by the MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, officially launched the rollout in Madibeng Local Municipality, Brits, during the Thuntsha Lerole Phase 6 Accelerated Service Delivery Programme.
The provincial rollout follows the national launch of Lenacapavir by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Secunda, Mpumalanga, two weeks ago.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered only twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for people at high risk of HIV infection.
Speaking at the launch, Premier Mokgosi welcomed the breakthrough and encouraged residents to take advantage of the new prevention option.
“We are proud to witness this historic moment in our province. As Co-Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council in the North West, I encourage our people to come forward and protect themselves against HIV infection. We need groundbreaking interventions such as this now more than ever as we intensify our fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Premier Mokgosi.
In a historic first for the province, 19-year-old Given Pashe from Letlhabile became the first recipient of the Lenacapavir injection at the Letlhabile Community Health Centre during the Thuntsha Lerole programme.
Following the administration of the two injections, Pashe expressed excitement and relief.
“I am very happy. I felt no pain at all. The nurses helped me stay calm and explained the entire process thoroughly. I would encourage other young people to come and protect themselves,” he said.
The Department of Health will roll out Lenacapavir through 31 selected healthcare facilities across the province during the pilot phase. The province has already received more than 12,000 doses as part of the first consignment, with additional stock expected as the programme expands.
The selected facilities are mainly clinics and community health centres located in areas with a high HIV burden and elevated risk of infection.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit participating facilities to determine their eligibility. Individuals will first undergo an HIV test, and those who test negative will receive further clinical assessment and counselling before being considered for the Lenacapavir injection.
MEC for Health Sello Lehari reaffirmed the province’s readiness to implement the programme successfully.
“I am pleased that the Premier, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders are here to witness this important milestone. We have trained our healthcare professionals on the administration of Lenacapavir and have put systems in place to ensure proper management and monitoring of the programme. While this is currently a pilot initiative, we are committed to expanding access as we continue strengthening HIV prevention efforts across the province,” said Lehari.
The Department emphasised that while Lenacapavir represents a major breakthrough in HIV prevention, it does not replace the use of condoms, which remain essential in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and providing additional protection against HIV.
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