Harare, (New Ziana)-Zimbabwe is witnessing a high uptake of Lenacapavir (LEN), the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug among high risk populations due to its  improved safety and autonomy on clients, a Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) official has said.
MoHCC HIV prevention officer Dr Idah Moyo said this during a media sensitization workshop on LEN roll out facilitated by the Ministry, the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID) and the Health Communicators Forum, with funding support from the United States Government on Thursday.
Zimbabwe started administering LEN in February 2026 in a phased approach with the first phase targeting clients in selected clinics in Bulawayo, Harare, Kwekwe, Gweru, Gwanda, Rusape and Shamva where at least 1 478 people at risk of getting HIV got the preventative drug.
The country is set to scale up the roll out of Lenacapivir with an additional 43 000 doses expected to increase the target to 46 500 by the end of this year.
“From the clients experiences, there is generally high uptake. People are actually interested in taking LEN because of improved safety and autonomy on the clients. There is also easier adherence,” she said.
Dr Moyo said there is high appetite for the HIV preventative drug due to the convenience of HIV negative clients getting the injections twice a year and not frequently.
“We have seen that the uptake within a short time has gone up. From the perspective of the client, it is convenient. The client does not have to be coming to the facility regularly. It’s actually a preferred method,” she told reporters.
OPHID technical director Dr Pugie Chimberengwa confirmed that LEN has been accepted by clients hence the need to perfect the roll out.
“The Ministry has rolled out LEN in a few facilities, 12 to be specific where we are taking it step by step and then perfecting how we roll it out,” he said.
HIV negative clients who are at risk of getting the virus can switch across existing preventative methods.
New Ziana
