The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) have welcomed the arrival of the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, donated by the Global Fund in South Africa, with both parties calling it a “game changer” in South Africa's fight against HIV/Aids and in the prevention of future infections.
The Department of Health welcomed the arrival of the first batch of Lenacapavir, a six-monthly injectable, which consists of 37 920 doses for the country.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said Lenacapavir will boost the country’s efforts to reduce new HIV infections, end Aids as a public health threat by 2030 and sustain the HIV response after 2030 in line with the 2026–2030 Global AIDS Strategy.
The DA said it will request that Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi present the parliamentary portfolio committee with a full roll-out plan and timeline, as well as progress on the implementation of the roll-out of Lenacapavir.
South Africa has one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the world – an estimated 8.15-million people in South Africa are living with HIV.
More than 6.2-million people rely on antiretroviral therapy to stay alive.
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