Lusaka: The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is actively collaborating with the Zambian government, communities, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the United States government to facilitate the distribution of Lenacapavir, a US-funded HIV prevention medicine, in Zambia. The initiative aims to ensure that this newly acquired prevention option reaches those who need it most, as the country endeavors to prevent new HIV infections and fortify the progress made in its HIV response.
According to African Press Organization, the Government of Zambia received its first stock of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication, at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka on September 1, 2026. This delivery was officially recognized by George Sinyangwe, the Ministry of Health's Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, and Frank Garcia, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, underscoring a strong health partnership between Zambia and the United States.
Lenacapavir has shown nearly 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections, presenting a significant opportunity for Zambia to advance its efforts in combating HIV and working towards the eradication of AIDS. UNAIDS is committed to collaborating with various partners to provide data and evidence on high-risk populations to effectively guide the rollout of Lenacapavir. The goal is to extend access to 82,000 individuals by the end of 2026 across 542 selected health facilities.
Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, expressed enthusiasm for the arrival of Lenacapavir, emphasizing the power of collective efforts in achieving a common goal. The introduction of this medication is seen as a vital step towards ending AIDS as a public health threat in Zambia.
The initiative targets approximately 21,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, enhancing efforts to protect maternal health and reduce vertical transmission of HIV, currently estimated at around 6% in Zambia. At the launch event, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia reiterated the US's commitment to supporting Zambia in rolling out Lenacapavir, reflecting a longstanding partnership in the country's HIV response through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Zambia joins a select group of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Eswatini, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, to receive this groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine. In 2025, Zambia recorded 23,000 new HIV infections, with adolescents and young people accounting for 37% of these cases. The availability of Lenacapavir offers an essential additional prevention tool, particularly for adolescent girls and young women who are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV.
The integration of Lenacapavir into Zambia's broader HIV prevention approach will be supported by UNAIDS through strategic coordination, technical advice, and advocacy to ensure equitable and evidence-based distribution. This partnership builds on many years of collaboration between UNAIDS and Zambia, focusing on policy development, strategic information, sustainability, community engagement, and ensuring that HIV services reach the most vulnerable populations.
