By Thabisani Dube
In communities across Zimbabwe, the fight against HIV has been long, complex and emotionally demanding. Decades of awareness campaigns, treatment initiatives and community-based programmes have strengthened the country’s response, yet the epidemic continues to affect millions of lives.
Now, the country is on the brink of a breakthrough as the nation prepares to introduce Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable designed to prevent HIV infection.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care, working with partners and community health structures, is preparing to roll out the twice-yearly injection next year. Lenacapavir, commonly referred to as LEN, is a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option that offers long-lasting protection for individuals at high risk of HIV. Unlike traditional oral PrEP, which requires daily adherence, Lenacapavir is administered every six months, easing the burden of routine medication while maintaining high levels of effectiveness.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora described the new addition as a significant turning point for the country. He explained, “The introduction of Lenacapavir is an important step. It is expected to provide long-lasting, highly effective protection.”
Zimbabwe’s preparations come at a crucial moment in the global HIV response. On December 1, during the commemoration of World AIDS Day in Mzingwane High School in Matabeleland South, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged governments to rapidly expand access to new HIV prevention tools — including Lenacapavir — to drive down new infections at a time when international funding cuts are disrupting essential services.
WHO noted that while progress has been made, the world is at a crossroads: prevention efforts are stagnating, and funding challenges are threatening to derail decades of hard-won gains.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a stern but hopeful message: “We face significant challenges with cuts to international funding and prevention stalling. At the same time, we have significant opportunities, with exciting new tools that can change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. Expanding access to these tools must be priority number one.”
Lenacapavir was prequalified by WHO on October 6, 2025, paving the way for countries to fast-track its approval. Zimbabwe granted its approval November 27 this year, joining South Africa and Zambia as some of the first countries in Africa to authorise the injection. The approval followed WHO’s July 2025 guidelines recommending Lenacapavir as a new PrEP option for individuals who struggle with adherence to daily pills due to stigma, lifestyle demands or inconsistent access to healthcare.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs, emphasised the significance of the new prevention tool, stating,
“We are entering a new era of powerful innovations in HIV prevention and treatment. With decisive action, supporting communities, and removing structural barriers, we can ensure that key and vulnerable populations have full access to life-saving services.”
However, despite the scientific breakthroughs, WHO warned that sudden cuts to international HIV funding in 2025 had disrupted global treatment, testing and prevention services. Community-led initiatives — including PrEP distribution and harm-reduction programmes — have been scaled back or shut down in several countries. The AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition estimates that 2.5 million people who were using PrEP in 2024 lost access in 2025 due to these funding reductions, a setback WHO says could undo progress without urgent investment.
Global statistics underscore the urgency: in 2024, there were about 1.3 million new HIV infections, with nearly half occurring among key populations and their partners — including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women and people who inject drugs.
Worldwide, 40.8 million people were living with HIV and 630,000 died from HIV-related causes. Vulnerable groups remain at highest risk, with sex workers and transgender women facing a 17-fold, men who have sex with men an 18-fold, and people who inject drugs a 34-fold greater chance of acquiring HIV.
While global trends are concerning, Zimbabwe has made significant progress. The 2023 Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) survey shows that 11 percent of adults aged 15–64 are living with HIV, and the country has met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: most people with HIV know their status, are on treatment, and have achieved viral suppression. These gains reflect years of coordinated work by government, civil society and community organisations.
The National AIDS Council continues to bolster prevention through youth-focused programmes like Sista2Sista and Hatshi Esigabeni Sami (Not in My Village). More than three and a half million people were reached with HIV prevention messages in the past year, underscoring Zimbabwe’s commitment to public health education. Still, challenges persist — especially for young women aged 15–24, who account for nearly 30 percent of new infections.
Across Zimbabwe, communities are optimistic and hopeful. Parents, youths, health workers and traders expressed how the arrival of Lenacapavir could reshape daily life.
“This gives me hope for my children. It feels like a new beginning for our families,” said Tendai Ndlovu, a parent from Hwange, Matabeleland North Province.
In Gokwe, Midlands Province young woman Rumbidzai Moyo shared: “A twice-yearly injection that keeps me safe? I feel empowered and hopeful.”
Community health volunteers — who form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s prevention efforts — see Lenacapavir as a tool that could change the pace of progress.
“We finally have something concrete to offer. Protection is becoming easier and more reliable,” said Nomusa Dube, a volunteer in Dete, Matabeleland North Province.
In Harare, Tinashe Munikwa, a vendor, welcomed the injection wholeheartedly.
“We have been waiting for new solutions. This injection is a blessing for everyone,” she said.
However, some people are wondering if the injection would be easily accessible in all communities.
“My hope is that rural areas won’t be left behind. And I pray it will be affordable,” said Regina Mutunami from Masvingo town, highlighting the need for inclusive rollout strategies.
WHO has emphasised that new prevention tools must be integrated into primary health systems to ensure equitable access. Zimbabwean health authorities agree that local clinics, district hospitals and community health centres will play a critical role in administering the injection and providing consistent counselling and follow-up support.
Dr Mombeshora stressed: “Providing protection in a way that is convenient and reliable will help families plan for the future without fear.”
As Zimbabwe prepares for the rollout of Lenacapavir, the country stands at the forefront of a new global movement toward long-acting, innovative HIV prevention. Yet the true measure of success will lie in ensuring that every community — from Harare’s bustling markets to the villages of Hwange, Gokwe, Binga, Tsholotsho, Nkayi, and across Mashonaland, Manicaland, Masvingo and the Midlands Provinces— benefits equally from these advances.
For thousands who have lived with the threat of HIV for decades, Lenacapavir represents more than a medical intervention. It is a symbol of resilience, scientific progress, and the promise of a future in which the fear of HIV no longer overshadows daily life.
With continued investment, community leadership, and global solidarity, Zimbabwe is poised to take a powerful step toward an HIV‑free generation.
