Maseru, Feb.26- Lesotho has marked a significant milestone in its response to HIV and AIDS following the arrival of the first dose of Lenacapavir (LEN), a novel long-acting antiretroviral agent that provides a new prevention option for HIV-negative individuals.
The introduction of Lenacapavir places Lesotho among countries adopting innovative biomedical interventions aimed at reducing new HIV infections and accelerating progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
In an interview with the Agency on Thursday, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Commission (NAC), Ms. Lebohang Mothae, described the arrival of LEN as a game changer in strengthening the country’s HIV prevention strategies. “This is a historic moment for Lesotho. While the country has made tremendous strides in treatment and achieved the global 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS, prevention remains an area requiring intensified efforts
Lenacapavir offers a powerful new tool to help close that gap,” she said.
Ms. Mothae indicated that adherence to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has presented challenges, particularly among young people and key populations. “Taking a pill every day can be difficult due to stigma, mobility, forgetfulness or lifestyle factors. A twice-yearly injection significantly reduces that burden and could improve consistent protection among those at substantial risk of HIV infection,” she explained.
She added that the introduction of LEN aligns with Lesotho’s broader strategic framework to reduce new infections while sustaining treatment gains. “We cannot treat our way out of the epidemic alone. Prevention must be strengthened. By integrating Lenacapavir into the national prevention toolkit alongside condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision, behavioural interventions and oral PrEP we are expanding choice and empowering individuals to select options that best suit their circumstances,” she said.
Ms. Mothae emphasised that community engagement, awareness campaigns and health worker training will be critical to ensure the successful rollout of the new intervention. “Innovation alone is not enough. We must ensure equitable access, particularly for adolescent girls and young women, key populations and rural communities who remain disproportionately affected by HIV,” she added.
The arrival of Lenacapavir comes at a crucial time as Lesotho intensifies efforts to curb new HIV infections and safeguard gains made over the past two decades. Health authorities believe that, if effectively implemented, the long-acting injectable administered subcutaneously every six months as part of a prevention regimen could significantly contribute to reducing new infections and keeping the country on course to achieve the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
Lesotho has attained the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, meaning that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed are receiving treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
However, prevention indicators remain below target, with PrEP uptake currently standing at 43 percent of the national goal.
ends/NT/BM
