Johannesburg: With the government officially rolling out the injection for both HIV treatment and prevention on Friday, Deputy President Paul Mashatile says this milestone represents one of the most significant scientific advances in HIV prevention in recent years.
According to South African Government News Agency, Lenacapavir provides a powerful new opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts, particularly among populations that continue to experience high rates of new infections. Mashatile emphasized its potential during an engagement with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), Private Sector Forum, and Captains of Industry.
Lenacapavir injection is designed for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection in HIV-negative individuals, as well as for treating HIV in adults for whom other medications have been ineffective. Mashatile highlighted the dedication of researchers, healthcare workers, governments, and communities in developing more effective tools like Lenacapavir to prevent HIV transmission. However, he stressed that scientific breakthroughs alone are not enough and that success depends on access, affordability, public trust, and effective implementation.
The rollout of Lenacapavir will necessitate strong collaboration across all societal sectors. It will require awareness campaigns, community mobilization, healthcare worker training, effective supply chains, and sustainable financing. Mashatile noted the crucial role of the private sector in supporting these efforts through workplace education, logistics support, investment, and public awareness initiatives.
Mashatile also called on the private sector to invest in the future of young people, as adolescent girls and young women bear a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections in South Africa. He identified this as one of the most urgent challenges in the national response and emphasized the need for more than healthcare services alone. Young people require education, economic opportunities, skills development, safety, and hope for the future, along with access to accurate information, prevention services, and supportive environments that empower informed choices.
He suggested that the private sector can contribute meaningfully through bursaries, internships, skills development programs, and partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations. Investing in young people, he argued, is not only the right thing to do but also one of the smartest investments for the country's future.
Moreover, Mashatile highlighted the close relationship between public health and gender-based violence and femicide. He called for action across all sectors to address the challenge, urging business leaders to strengthen workplace policies, support survivor referral systems, promote gender equality, and create environments free from harassment and discrimination.
While acknowledging the ongoing challenge of HIV, Mashatile also pointed out the need to maintain focus on Tuberculosis (TB), which remains a leading cause of death among people living with HIV in South Africa. He underscored the importance of continuing to strengthen screening programs, improve access to diagnostics, support treatment adherence, and identify undiagnosed and untreated individuals.
Encouraging plans to introduce near-point-of-care TB diagnostic services, Mashatile called on the private sector to support these efforts by integrating TB screening into workplace health programs and supporting community-based initiatives to increase awareness and access to care. Early detection, he asserted, saves lives.