The Gauteng Department of Health has exceeded its first-month target for the rollout of Lenacapavir (LEN), with more than 6 100 eligible clients initiated on the HIV prevention treatment since the programme began on June 8.

According to Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona, a total of 6 130 eligible clients have been initiated on Lenacapavir, representing 131% of the provincial monthly target of 4 672 initiations.

Lenacapavir forms part of South Africa’s efforts to expand HIV prevention options and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The medicine offers eligible HIV-negative individuals who are at substantial risk of HIV infection an additional prevention option alongside existing HIV prevention interventions.

The treatment is currently available at 133 clinics across Gauteng, all of which have received sufficient stock to support service delivery.

Mabona said the programme has seen strong uptake across all five health districts in the province.

“Tshwane District recorded the highest number of initiations with 2 216 clients, followed by Johannesburg with 1 981 initiations and Ekurhuleni with 1 435 initiations.

“Sedibeng District initiated 377 clients, while West Rand District recorded 121 initiations,” he said.

The department said it continues to maintain adequate stock levels, with more than 7 400 injection packs and over 7 500 oral tablet packs currently available at reporting facilities.

A second consignment of 9 830 Lenacapavir packs was also received at the Medical Supplies Depot on June 26 to support the continued expansion of the programme and ensure uninterrupted access to the medicine across the province.

Mabona commended healthcare workers, programme managers and facility teams for ensuring eligible clients have access to the intervention.

“Expanding access to comprehensive HIV prevention services, particularly among populations at increased risk of HIV infection, remains a top priority of the department,” he said.

The department, however, stressed that while Lenacapavir is an important additional HIV prevention option, it is not a replacement for other prevention methods.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue practising safer sex, including the consistent and correct use of condoms, regular screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and making use of sexual and reproductive health services available at public healthcare facilities, as Lenacapavir does not protect against other STIs or prevent unintended pregnancies.