The Ministry of Health efforts to curb the spread of HIV have received a significant boost following the rollout of a new long-acting injectable drug designed to prevent HIV infection among people who are HIV-negative but at high risk of contracting the virus.
The drug, known as Lenacapavir, has been delivered to five health facilities in the Greater Masaka region as part of the first phase of a nationwide distribution programme. The facilities include Sembabule Health Centre IV , Masaka Regional Referral Hospital , Kasensero Health Centre III , Bukakata Health Centre III and The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO).
The initial consignment forms part of the 9,600 doses that recently arrived in Uganda. The country is expected to receive a total of 460,800 doses, which will be distributed to 100 selected health facilities nationwide.
Speaking during a health sensitization workshop for journalists organized by the Health Journalists Network at Hotel Court Lane in Masaka City, Robert Bossa, a representative from the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University, said the injectable medication offers a convenient alternative to daily HIV prevention pills.
”This drug is a major breakthrough because it relieves people from the burden of taking prevention pills every day,” Bossa explained.
How Lenacapavir Works
Lenacapavir is administered to individuals who are HIV-negative and at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. A single dose provides protection for six months, after which the recipient must return to a health facility for another injection.
The medication is available in both injectable and tablet forms. During the initial administration, healthcare workers inject the drug on both sides of the abdomen, approximately five centimeters from the navel. On the same day, the recipient takes two tablets, followed by another two tablets the next day. This combination initiates six months of protection against HIV infection.
Subsequent six-month doses require only the injection, without the need for additional tablets. Health experts emphasize that Lenacapavir is not a vaccine but a preventive medication.
Who Is Eligible?
According to health experts, Lenacapavir is particularly recommended for:Individuals who struggle to take daily HIV prevention pills.
People whose occupations involve frequent travel and extended periods away from home, including sex workers.
People who inject drugs and face a heightened risk of HIV infection.
Eligible individuals are given the option of choosing between daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the long-acting injectable form. However, all recipients must first test HIV-negative.
Who Should Not Receive It?
Health officials say Lenacapavir should not be administered to:
Individuals who are already HIV-positive.
Patients suffering from severe liver disease.
Persons weighing less than 30 kilograms.
Meanwhile, Dr. Faith Nakiyimba, the Masaka District Health Officer, expressed concern over the continued reluctance by some members of the public to embrace existing HIV prevention methods.
She noted that despite the availability of proven interventions such as condom use, safe male circumcision, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), new infections remain alarmingly high.
According to Dr. Nakiyimba, Greater Masaka registered 8,154 new HIV infections within six months. Of these, 4,814 were females, 3,112 were males, and 124 were children below the age of 15.
”The number of new infections remains unacceptably high, which underscores the need for intensified public sensitization on the various HIV prevention options available,” she said.
Dr. Nakiyimba expressed optimism that the introduction of the injectable drug will improve adherence to HIV prevention programmes, particularly among individuals who have struggled with taking daily pills.
She said the six-month protection offered by Lenacapavir could make HIV prevention more convenient and accessible, ultimately contributing to a reduction in new HIV infections across the region and the country at large
