Lusaka: United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is collaborating with the Zambian government and various stakeholders to facilitate the distribution of Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention medicine, in Zambia. The initiative aims to curb new HIV infections through strategic partnerships with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the US government.

According to African Press Organization, the Government of Zambia has received the initial consignment of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. Delivered to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka on 1 September 2026, this shipment marks a significant milestone in the country's ongoing battle against HIV. The Ministry of Health's Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, George Sinyangwe, and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, were present to officially receive the shipment.

Lenacapavir has demonstrated near-perfect efficacy in preventing HIV infections, presenting a crucial opportunity for Zambia to enhance its HIV response efforts and work towards ending AIDS. UNAIDS plans to collaborate with partners to provide insightful data on high-risk populations and facilitate Lenacapavir's rollout to 82,000 people by the end of 2026, across 542 health facilities.

Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized the collaborative effort's potential impact on ending AIDS as a public health threat. Approximately 21,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will benefit from Lenacapavir, aiding in maternal health protection and reducing vertical HIV transmission, currently estimated at around 6% in Zambia.

US Assistant Secretary of State Frank Garcia highlighted the longstanding US-Zambia partnership, particularly through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in the fight against HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 26.3 million of the 41 million people living with HIV globally, stands to benefit significantly from such collaborative efforts.

In 2025, Zambia recorded 23,000 new HIV infections, with adolescents and young people representing 37% of these cases. The introduction of Lenacapavir offers an additional prevention method, especially for adolescent girls and young women facing high vulnerability to HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms. Githuku-Shongwe remarked on the opportunity to extend prevention measures to those most in need, particularly young women and girls. Integrating Lenacapavir into Zambia's comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, UNAIDS will provide technical guidance and advocacy to ensure the rollout is equitable and evidence-based.

The longstanding partnership between UNAIDS and Zambia has bolstered the country's national HIV response through policy development, community engagement, and strategic information sharing. Lenacapavir represents a pivotal component in advancing these efforts.

Lusaka: United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is collaborating with the Zambian government and various stakeholders to facilitate the distribution of Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention medicine, in Zambia. The initiative aims to curb new HIV infections through strategic partnerships with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the US government.

According to African Press Organization, the Government of Zambia has received the initial consignment of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. Delivered to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka on 1 September 2026, this shipment marks a significant milestone in the country's ongoing battle against HIV. The Ministry of Health's Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, George Sinyangwe, and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, were present to officially receive the shipment.

Lenacapavir has demonstrated near-perfect efficacy in preventing HIV infections, presenting a crucial opportunity for Zambia to enhance its HIV response efforts and work towards ending AIDS. UNAIDS plans to collaborate with partners to provide insightful data on high-risk populations and facilitate Lenacapavir's rollout to 82,000 people by the end of 2026, across 542 health facilities.

Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized the collaborative effort's potential impact on ending AIDS as a public health threat. Approximately 21,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will benefit from Lenacapavir, aiding in maternal health protection and reducing vertical HIV transmission, currently estimated at around 6% in Zambia.

US Assistant Secretary of State Frank Garcia highlighted the longstanding US-Zambia partnership, particularly through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in the fight against HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 26.3 million of the 41 million people living with HIV globally, stands to benefit significantly from such collaborative efforts.

In 2025, Zambia recorded 23,000 new HIV infections, with adolescents and young people representing 37% of these cases. The introduction of Lenacapavir offers an additional prevention method, especially for adolescent girls and young women facing high vulnerability to HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms. Githuku-Shongwe remarked on the opportunity to extend prevention measures to those most in need, particularly young women and girls. Integrating Lenacapavir into Zambia's comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, UNAIDS will provide technical guidance and advocacy to ensure the rollout is equitable and evidence-based.

The longstanding partnership between UNAIDS and Zambia has bolstered the country's national HIV response through policy development, community engagement, and strategic information sharing. Lenacapavir represents a pivotal component in advancing these efforts.