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Nigeria has received 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection, as part of a Global Fund-supported initiative. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s fight against HIV, with the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030 .
The injection is a long-acting preventive measure designed to reduce new HIV infections and will be provided free of charge to enrolled participants at designated health facilities in eight pilot states: Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, FCT, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue. The introduction of lenacapavir strengthens Nigeria’s multi-pronged prevention strategy, offering an alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and improving adherence, particularly among high-risk groups.
Lenacapavir is administered twice yearly, making it a more convenient option for individuals at risk of HIV infection. Clinical trials have shown the medicine to be up to 100% effective in preventing new HIV infections, making it one of the most promising prevention tools available .
The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the rollout of lenacapavir in nine countries, including Nigeria, and has issued guidelines for its use. The introduction of lenacapavir is expected to significantly improve HIV prevention efforts, particularly among key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender persons.
The cost of lenacapavir has been significantly reduced from $28,000 to $40 per person per year, making it more accessible to millions across Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. This development is a result of a coalition of partners, including UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and the Gates Foundation.
Nigeria ranks fourth globally in HIV burden, with approximately 1.9 million people living with the virus. The introduction of lenacapavir is a crucial step towards broadening the range of prevention choices available to individuals at risk of HIV infection.
The National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure the safe introduction, strategic deployment, and effective integration of lenacapavir into the national HIV prevention options. Distribution of the injection to the pilot states is expected to commence next week.
The arrival of lenacapavir is a significant advancement in Nigeria’s HIV prevention efforts, reflecting the country’s commitment to adopting innovative and evidence-based interventions to control the HIV epidemic.
