The government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health has recieved the first shipment of lenacapavir. This is an innovative HIV prevention medicine which is administered only twice a year.
The shipment has been funded by the United States of America as a part of the country’s healthcare support initiative. The officials have shared that the shipment arrived in Zambia on Wednesday.
The celebration of the milestone was marked at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka. The commemoration was joined by the Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, Dr. George Sinyangwe and the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of African Affairs Assistant Secretary of State, Frank Garcia.
All the stakeholders from both the countries celebrated the arrival of the shipment for the milestone that it was. The Ministry of Health has shared some images from the arrival of the shipment to the teaching hospital.
The healthcare stakeholders talked about the importance of the medication which has arrived into the country. The experts have confirmed that the medicine Lenacapavir offers a powerful new option in HIV prevention.
The medication can support pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child. The shipment will also help in strengthening Zambia’s efforts in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
The celebration event also saw the attendants of the event getting a tour of the teaching hospital, specifically the UTH – Women and Newborn Hospital.
The organisation has shared that the stakeholders also toured the Maternal and Child Health Wing during their visit to the teaching hospital.
Additionally, a technical briefing was delivered by the Zambian health experts supporting the national PrEP programme. The officials have shared that the country continues to strengthen its response to HIV and build a healthier future.
The effort is being supported by stakeholders who have been working with international partners including United States of America.