In a recent trial in South Africa, a new drug called lenacapavir showed remarkable results: not a single new HIV infection among the women tested. The drug is a long-acting injection that offers six months of protection with each dose, meaning just two injections are needed per year.
On Friday, 5 June 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched South Africa's national campaign to distribute lenacapavir. The launch took place at Lilian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda, a town in Mpumalanga province. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi joined the president to mark this important moment.
South Africa faces the world's heaviest HIV burden, with roughly 8 million people living with the virus. Young women and adolescent girls are affected most severely, with about 1,000 new infections every week.
Unlike previous prevention methods that required daily pills, lenacapavir simplifies treatment with just two yearly visits to a health facility. The rollout will begin in 360 clinics across the country's most affected areas. A first batch of about 38,000 doses arrived in April 2026.
The drug is manufactured by Gilead, a major American pharmaceutical company. While current supplies are limited, a cheaper generic version is expected in 2027 at approximately $40 per person annually. This will make the treatment accessible to more people across low- and middle-income countries. South Africa is the ninth African nation to begin this rollout.