IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVE MABONA, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson

The Gauteng Department of Health will begin the phased rollout of Lenacapavir on Monday, 08 June 2026. Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention injection that provides eligible HIV-negative individuals 10:35 with protection against HIV infection for up to six months per dose. The programme is part of a national initiative led by the National Department of Health and announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed at expanding HIV prevention options and helping to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Gauteng, which has a high HIV burden and is the most populous province in South Africa, has been selected as a key implementation site. In the first phase, the medicine will be introduced at 133 healthcare facilities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand. Lenacapavir is a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis that is administered twice a year. It offers an additional HIV prevention option alongside existing methods such as oral PrEP, condom use, HIV testing, voluntary medical male circumcision, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, and STI prevention and treatment services. The province has been allocated stock to initiate 56 079 eligible individuals between June 2026 and March 2027, with an initial supply for 18 809 people already delivered. Distribution to districts began on 24 May 2026 to allow facilities to prepare for implementation. To support the rollout, healthcare workers, pharmacists, programme managers and data personnel have been trained. Monitoring systems and clinical guidelines have also been put in place to ensure safe and effective delivery of the programme. The first phase will prioritise high-risk groups, including adolescent girls and boys, young women and men, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Public awareness campaigns, including community dialogues, media engagement, radio programmes and social media initiatives, will be used to educate communities about the new prevention method. The department has emphasised that Lenacapavir does not replace other HIV prevention methods but rather complements them as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. Members of the public are encouraged to visit healthcare facilities for HIV testing, information and eligibility screening., Instagram · Twitter