The six-monthly HIV prevention injection lenacapavir could make it easier for people in rural communities to access pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism.
Bhekisisa is hosting a workshop for journalists in Sandton focusing on South Africa’s rollout of lenacapavir and the challenges emerging as the programme expands.
Bhekisisa’s Saiqa Mulick says the injection’s twice-yearly dosing schedule could reduce the number of trips rural patients need to make to healthcare facilities.
She says this could be particularly beneficial in communities where patients have to travel long distances to reach clinics.
“You don't have to come so often to the health facility, and in many of the rural areas, the distances can be quite long to actually get to the clinic,” Mulick said.
She added that having a PrEP option that only needs to be administered every six months could be more convenient for patients.
Mulick also confirmed that patients will not be required to pay for the injection.
“It’s going to be available for free at all our Department of Health sites,” she said.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial Health Department has identified 94 public healthcare facilities across six districts for the first phase of the lenacapavir rollout.
eThekwini has the highest number of participating facilities, with 49 clinics and community health centres, followed by uMgungundlovu with 13.
The rollout also includes facilities in the Zululand, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, Amajuba and uMkhanyakude districts.
Lenacapavir is administered twice a year and is being introduced as an additional HIV prevention option, particularly for people at higher risk of infection.
Health authorities say the rollout forms part of wider efforts to expand access to innovative HIV prevention methods and reduce new infections.
Residents have been encouraged to contact their nearest participating healthcare facility for information about the availability of lenacapavir and eligibility requirements.