Nairobi: Kenya will roll out a groundbreaking new HIV-prevention drug in March throughout 15 precedence areas, the well being ministry mentioned on Wednesday.
Lenacapavir, taken twice a 12 months, has been proven to scale back the danger of HIV transmission by greater than 99.9 %, although it’s technically a chemical drug relatively than a vaccine as a result of it doesn’t prepare the immune system.
Kenya was amongst 9 African international locations chosen final 12 months to introduce lenacapavir, with rollout already underneath method in South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia since December.
Jap and southern Africa account for about 52 % of the 40.8 million individuals residing with HIV worldwide, in accordance to 2024 UNAIDS information.
Kenya acquired its first batch of 21,000 doses on Tuesday via a cope with lenacapavir’s producer, Gilead Sciences, and the World Fund to Battle AIDS.
“The primary section of implementation will start early March, protecting 15 counties,” well being minister Aden Duale mentioned in an announcement.
“We count on an extra 12,000 continuation doses by April,” he added.
The minister mentioned the US authorities had dedicated to provide Kenya, which has an HIV prevalence of three.7 %, with an extra 25,000 doses of the drug.
The rollout of lenacapavir comes as African international locations grapple with support cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration which have affected HIV/AIDS programmes throughout the continent.
Kenya has shut ties with the USA and in December signed a $2.5 billion well being support deal — the primary such bilateral settlement after Trump dismantled the USAID company and sidelined NGOs.
Beneath the settlement, the US will present $1.6 billion over 5 years to Kenya to work on well being points together with combating HIV/AIDS and malaria and stopping polio.
Kenya should contribute an extra $850 million and progressively tackle extra accountability.
However the deal has been challenged by a Kenyan senator in court docket, who cites a number of constitutional violations.
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