Mozambique has been selected as one of ten countries worldwide to receive a donation of Lenacapavir, a next-generation injectable drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lenacapavir is administered only twice a year and is intended for the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The announcement was made on Thursday (18) by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Mozambique, Abigail L. Dressel, during a meeting with the Minister of Health, Ussene Isse. The initiative is part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program supporting countries in the fight against AIDS, and it reinforces the historic cooperation between Washington and Maputo in the health sector.
Lenacapavir has shown promising results in Gilead’s clinical trials: “more than 99% of participants remained HIV-negative.” The drug is seen as a breakthrough tool in HIV prevention, as it reduces the need for daily antiretroviral intake.
During the meeting, Abigail Dressel and Minister Ussene Isse highlighted the progress achieved in recent decades in maternal and child health, HIV response, and strengthening public health systems. For Dressel, this donation “reflects the U.S. commitment to saving lives and promoting Mozambique’s self-sufficiency.”
For the Mozambican government, the introduction of Lenacapavir represents not only a technological advance, but also a significant opportunity to improve health outcomes, especially among the most vulnerable populations. With this pioneering initiative, Mozambique reaffirms itself as a priority country in the global public health innovation agenda, standing out in the international effort to prevent HIV and reduce the impact of AIDS in the country and the region.
Source: Integrity Magazine
