Maseru April 15 - The Ministry of Health has released a list of health facilities across Lesotho where eligible Basotho can now access Lenacapavir, a new long-acting injectable for HIV prevention given twice per year. The rollout follows the drug’s official launch on March 30, marking a major step in the country’s prevention strategy.

Speaking in an interview with the Ministry of Health HIV treatment and care officer Dr Nthuseng Marake confirmed  that HIV-negative individuals weighing 35 kilograms and above who are at substantial risk of infection are expected to show up in different health centers across the country.

Dr. Marake also higlighted that everyone is free to take an injection but most vulnerable people are more taken into consideration who are the sex workers, inmates, adolescents and young people aged between 15-24years, pregnant and breastfeeding.

Lesotho received its first consignment of Lenacapavir in February, with 6,000 doses delivered through a partnership between the United States Government, Gilead Sciences, and the Global Fund. An initial batch of 3,000 injections is being used for Phase One, with another 6,500 doses expected around June 2026.
The rollout is planned in three stages over roughly nine months each until all health facilities and at risk populations are reached.

Phase one began towards the end of March 2026 and covers 50 prevalence facilities across the country which are 14 in Maseru (Maseru district hospital, Makoanyane military hospital, Scott hospital, St. Joseph's hospital, Likotsi filter clinic, domiciliary health centre, Nazareth health centre, Ldf health Centre, AHF health Centre, Maseru LPPA clinic, Baylor college of medicine, NUL health centre and Maseru correctional service health center)

• Five in Berea district ( Berea hospital, Maluti Hospital, cehal hospital, Mabote filter clinic and khubetsoana health centre)
• Six in Leribe ( motebang hospital, mamohau hospital, maputsoe SDA, Emmanuel health center, pontmain health center and Leribe correctional service health center)
• Three in Mokhotlong ( Mokhotlong Hospital, Mapholaneng health centre and Tlhanyaku health centre)
• Three in ThabaTseka ( Paray Hospital, St. James health centre and Health division health Centre)
• Five in Mafeteng (Mafeteng hospital, Le Coop health centre, Matelile health centre, Motsekuoa health centre and Mafeteng LPPA clinic)
• Four in Mohale's Hoek (Ntsekhe Hospital, Mofumahali oa Rosario health center, Mohale's Hoek LPPA and Mohale's Hoek correctional services health center)
• Three in Quthing ( Quthing Hospital,  Mphaki health center and St Matthews health Centre)
• Three in Qacha (Machabeng health center, Tebellong Hospital and Sekake health center)Dr. Marake emphasized that Lenacapavir strengthens the existing prevention package but does not replace other methods Lenacapavir is an additional.

Clinical trials showed that more than 99 percent of participants remained HIV-negative while on Lenacapavir.
The injection is also considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission, a key national goal.

With this launch, Lesotho joins Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and other African nations now administering Lenacapavir as part of national HIV prevention programs.

The country was selected for early access due to its progress on HIV targets.

Lesotho has surpassed the global 95-95-95 goals and now stands at 97-97-99. New HIV infections have declined by 83 percent, and the country aims to reduce new infections by 90 percent by 2030.

“These 6,000 doses represent hope for mothers, high-risk individuals, and everyone working to end new infections,”   Dr Morake  said Lenacapavir symbolizes Lesotho’s fight to end new HIV infections by 2030, combining biomedical innovation with community outreach and education.

The ministry's Ministry's HIV and AIDS Communications officer Mr. Khathala Liphoto the full list of facilities offering Lenacapavir in Phase One has been shared with district health teams and will be posted at clinics and on Ministry platforms.

Eligible individuals can visit the listed sites for screening and, if HIV-negative, receive the injection at no cost.
The Ministry will monitor effectiveness and refine delivery during the phased rollout, with over 20,000 doses expected in Lesotho this year.

Health authorities plan to target high-risk populations, including young adults, sex workers, and people in areas with high HIV prevalence, while running awareness campaigns on use, benefits, and safety.

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