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File image| A red ribbon is put on the sleeves of a man by his friend to show support for people living with HIV
The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has welcomed the arrival of the ground-breaking HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir.
The twice-yearly injectable is said to be a game-changer in HIV prevention, particularly for high-burden countries like South Africa.
SANAC is pushing for local manufacturing to enhance sustainability and affordability.
Health Products Grant Specialist at SANAC, Gertrude Mngola, says, “We foresee that it is going to reduce the infection rate. The efficacy of the injection is near perfect, almost 100%. We know we’re not going to rely on you coming every day.”
“So once you get the injection, once every six months, you’re protected for six months, and so it is going to decrease the infection rate. Currently in South Africa, we have about 180.000 new infections every year- and so this is seen as a game changer.”
PODCAST | Below is the full interview with Gertrude Mngola:
