Samson Mutua receives Kenya’s first injection of Lenacapavir to prevent HIV at the Riruta Health Centre in Kawangware.
The Global Fund has committed an additional Sh256 million
($2 million) to support Kenya’s rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention
injection, Lenacapavir, officials announced during the national launch in Nairobi
on Thursday.
The six-monthly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
was launched at Riruta Health Centre in Nairobi.
Kenya received 21,000 doses early this month, funded by the
Fund at about Sh370 million ($2.9 million).
Global Fund Senior Portfolio Manager Paul Maccarrick
described the moment as historic.
He said the Sh256 will specifically fund programme rollout
activities, including service delivery support, training, community engagement
and systems required to ensure eligible beneficiaries can access the drug
safely and consistently.
“In the spirit of continuing commitment, Global Fund has
directly invested $2.9 million (about Sh370 million) for this initial
procurement of the product being launched here today, and a further $2.0
million (about Sh256 million) for programme implementation rollout to ensure
access by targeted beneficiaries,” Maccarrick said.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable PrEP administered
twice a year after initiation. Health officials say it offers a new prevention
option for individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection, particularly those
who struggle with adherence to daily oral medication.
Maccarrick said the launch goes beyond science.
“It also demonstrates the strength of global partnership,
particularly the collaboration among the Global Fund, Pepfar, and Gilead
Sciences to ensure that this life-saving innovation is delivered at a more
affordable and accessible price. Such collective action is essential if we are
to end Aids as a public health threat,” he said.
Kenya becomes one of the first countries in the region to
introduce the injectable prevention option within its public health system,
beginning with 15 high-burden counties.
The Ministry of Health says the phased rollout will
prioritise populations at substantial risk as part of efforts to reduce new HIV
infections to zero by 2030.
The Global Fund has been a major financier of Kenya’s HIV
response for over two decades.
“Since 2003, for over twenty years, the Global Fund has
stood alongside Kenya as a committed partner in the fight against HIV, TB and
Malaria; investing over $2.0 billion (about Sh250 billion) to strengthen HIV,
TB and Malaria treatment, care and support, and prevention; as well as systems
for health,” Maccarrick said.