Tinotenda Hove – Zimbabwe is set to officially launch the phased rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, in Epworth, Harare, on 18 February 2026.

The programme will initially target more than 46,000 people at high risk of HIV infection in districts recording high rates of new cases.

Health authorities say the first phase will prioritise vulnerable groups, including adolescent girls and young women, sex workers, homosexuals, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and others whose social or economic circumstances increase their risk of contracting HIV.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Aspect Maunganidze, confirmed the launch date, stating, “The launch of Lenacapavir is expected to take place on February 18 in Epworth, Harare.”

Unlike daily oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Lenacapavir is administered only twice a year, offering a long-acting alternative aimed at improving adherence and reducing new infections.

The rollout will begin in major urban centres including Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, and Chitungwiza. It will later expand to additional districts such as Karoi, Mazowe, Tsholotsho, Kwekwe, Shamva, and Gwanda.

Health officials said the selected areas were chosen because of high HIV prevalence, significant numbers of new infections, and strong uptake of oral PrEP programmes.
A total of 24 sites have been identified for the first phase, targeting approximately 46,500 beneficiaries. The first shipment of the drug arrived in Zimbabwe two weeks ago and has since been cleared by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ).

Zimbabwe was selected in August 2025 as one of 10 countries in the region to receive early access to the drug, marking a significant milestone in the country’s HIV prevention efforts.

Nearly 400 health workers have undergone specialised training in combination HIV prevention, while national data systems have been upgraded to enable real-time monitoring of the programme’s implementation.