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Why Zimbabwe’s Lenacapavir Launch Is a Big Win for Women and Girls

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Takudzwa Karowangoro

When Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora stood before health workers and partners this week to launch Zimbabwe’s national lenacapavir programme, the moment marked more than the introduction of a new medicine. It signalled a turning point in how the country protects its most vulnerable people from HIV.

Zimbabwe is now among the first countries in the world to roll out lenacapavir as part of a national HIV prevention programme an ambitious move in a country that has spent decades confronting one of the world’s toughest epidemics.

What is lenacapavir?

Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable medicine used for HIV prevention (PrEP). Unlike daily pills, it is administered just twice a year. Developed by Gilead Sciences and approved locally in November, the drug has shown near-100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials.

For many people, especially young women and those with unstable living conditions, taking a pill every day is difficult. Missed doses can reduce protection. Lenacapavir removes that challenge entirely two injections a year provide continuous protection.

This is why health experts describe it as a game-changer.

Why Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe carries one of the highest HIV burdens in Africa, with an estimated 1.3 million people living with HIV. At the peak of the epidemic in the early 2000s, adult prevalence stood at around 34%. Today, it has fallen to approximately 12%, thanks to aggressive prevention campaigns, widespread treatment access, and strong community mobilisation.

The country has also met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets meaning most people living with HIV know their status, are on treatment, and have suppressed viral loads.

Yet new infections persist, particularly among adolescent girls, young women, and sex workers, groups that face higher biological, social, and economic risks. Lenacapavir is designed precisely for this gap.

How the rollout will work

The initial phase of the programme will reach more than 46,000 high-risk individuals at 24 sites nationwide, with funding from the U.S. government and The Global Fund.

Clinics will prioritise populations most affected by new infections, offering counselling, testing, and the injection as part of a broader prevention package. Health officials say expansion will follow as capacity grows.

“This is an important day in Zimbabwe’s national response to HIV,” Minister Mombeshora said at the launch. “It brings us closer to ending AIDS as a public health threat.”

Real impact at community level

In Epworth, one of Harare’s high-density suburbs, the excitement is already visible. Community leader Melody Dengu received the injection earlier this month and has since referred 12 others.

For women like Dengu, lenacapavir offers control and peace of mind. There is no daily reminder, no pills to hide, no fear of being judged.

Global health leaders agree. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, has described lenacapavir as “the next best thing to a vaccine.”

Why it matters for Zimbabwe’s future

Lenacapavir strengthens Zimbabwe’s prevention arsenal at a time when the country is closer than ever to controlling HIV—but not close enough to relax. By protecting those most at risk, it reduces future treatment costs, keeps families intact, and protects the next generation.

More importantly, it represents equity in healthcare: a cutting-edge medical breakthrough reaching communities that need it most, not last.

If widely adopted and sustained, lenacapavir could help Zimbabwe shift from managing HIV to ending new infections altogether a goal that once felt impossible, but now feels within reach.

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“No Matter Where They Are in SA” — Govt Vows Full Medical Support for Zimbabweans

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“No Matter Where They Are in SA” — Govt Vows Full Medical Support for Zimbabweans

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Amon Murwira, has assured Parliament that the Government of Zimbabwe will ensure its citizens in South Africa receive full access to health services, regardless of their circumstances.

Speaking during the National Assembly Questions and Answers Session in the Parliament of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Dr. Murwira said the government is actively working through its diplomatic missions to safeguard the welfare of Zimbabweans abroad.

“We have our Consulate in South Africa, who are making sure that Zimbabweans in South Africa get health access,  no matter what,” he said.

The Minister noted that reports alleging that Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals were being denied medical and health services in South Africa had not been formally communicated to the Government of Zimbabwe.

“This issue of denied medical and health services to Zimbabweans and other foreigners has not been fully communicated to us formally, but it is being discussed by people who want to push their agendas,” Dr Murwira told legislators.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting citizens wherever they may be.

“No matter where the Zimbabwean is, be it in prison or everywhere, we make sure that they get full medical services,” he said.

The remarks come amid ongoing debate around access to healthcare services for migrants in South Africa and concerns raised over the treatment of foreign nationals within the region.

The Minister’s statement underscores Harare’s position that Zimbabwean diplomatic missions remain actively engaged in ensuring citizens’ rights and access to essential services abroad.

 

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HIV Network Raises Concern Over Halted US Health Funding Talks

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The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) has expressed concern over the possible impact of Zimbabwe’s decision to discontinue negotiations on a proposed US$350 million health funding agreement with the United States.

In a statement released on Monday, ZNNP+, which represents more than 1.3 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Zimbabwe, warned that the move could put lives at risk if alternative funding is not secured.

The organisation acknowledged the Government’s responsibility to protect national sovereignty but said international health partnerships have played a critical role in Zimbabwe’s HIV response for decades. Support from US-backed programmes such as PEPFAR and USAID has helped ensure access to antiretroviral therapy, viral load testing, and treatment for advanced HIV-related conditions.

ZNNP+ said suspending negotiations could create a major funding gap that the national budget may struggle to cover, potentially affecting the supply of life-saving medication and support services.

The group raised concerns about possible treatment interruptions, warning that any break in antiretroviral therapy could lead to drug resistance, opportunistic infections, and increased deaths. It also cautioned that Zimbabwe’s progress toward the global 95-95-95 HIV targets could be reversed.

ZNNP+ further noted that health funding supports more than medication, including community health workers, rural clinics, and support systems relied upon by vulnerable populations.

The organisation also warned that rejecting US government funding could weaken trust with other international partners, including the Global Fund, the United Nations, and the European Union.

ZNNP+ has appealed to the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, to re-engage in dialogue and put the lives of people living with HIV at the centre of negotiations.

The organisation also called on the government to provide a clear contingency plan outlining how the US$350 million funding gap would be covered if talks do not resume, to ensure that no person living with HIV is left without treatment or support.

ZNNP+ said it remains ready to work with all stakeholders to help develop an agreement that protects national interests while safeguarding public health.

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Public Invited to Comment on Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill

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Everisto Zhuwao

Members of the public are being invited to provide input on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026).

Under Section 328(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, once the Speaker gives notice of a Constitutional Bill, Parliament is required to solicit public views. This can be done through public meetings as well as written submissions. The law further mandates that Parliament convene meetings and provide facilities to ensure that the public can participate fully in the consultation process.

The invitation represents an opportunity for Zimbabweans to engage directly in shaping the country’s constitutional framework. Citizens are encouraged to study the proposed Bill and share their views, either by attending public forums or submitting their comments in writing.

Parliament will announce dates, venues, and procedures for the public consultations to ensure inclusive and transparent participation.

This initiative reinforces the constitutional principle that democratic governance is strengthened through active citizen engagement, providing Zimbabweans with a platform to voice opinions on legislation affecting the nation.

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