NEWS of a new HIV injection that can be taken only twice a year has been welcomed by villagers.
The villagers believe that this is much better than having to take daily pills to prevent being infected with HIV.
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane introduced a new HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, to villagers in the Amajuba district on Tuesday, 30 December.
This injection is only required twice a year.
This injection is expected to reduce missed PrEP doses and enable more people to protect themselves against HIV.
Speaking at a community engagement in Amajuba district as part of the Isibhedlela Kubantu outreach programme, MEC Simelane said the long-acting injectable, Lenacapavir, branded in the province as "uLena: Ihawu Lakho Lokuzivikela kwi-HIV," addresses one of the biggest challenges in HIV prevention: daily pill adherence.
"For many people, taking a pill every day may be a challenge because of busy lives, stigma, forgetfulness or fear of disclosure. A twice-a-year injection, therefore, makes it much easier not to miss doses and to stay protected," said MEC Simelane.
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She said the innovation will allow more people, especially young women, key populations and mobile workers, to benefit from HIV prevention in a way that fits their realities.
"This means more consistent protection, fewer new infections, and healthier communities."
The MEC stressed that Lenacapavir doesn't replace existing HIV prevention methods such as daily oral PrEP, condoms and behavioural interventions, but complements them by expanding choice.
"The more options people have, the more likely they are to protect themselves. This is how we close the gap in HIV prevention," she said.
MEC Simelane also used the platform to highlight the importance of uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV, urging those who had defaulted to return to care through the department's "Close the Gap" Campaign, especially during the festive season when treatment interruptions are common.
Alongside HIV prevention, the MEC called on communities to take cancer screening seriously, particularly for prostate cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer, which remain among the most common and deadliest cancers in the province.
"We want men to come forward for prostate screening, women to attend cervical and breast cancer screening, and families to support early testing. Early detection is extremely important as it saves lives," Simelane said.
She said the Lenacapavir Awareness Campaign and Roadshow will continue across the province ahead of the phased rollout of the twice-yearly injectable PrEP option in February 2026.
Villager Thabani Dube said he's happy they will now receive the injection twice a year instead of taking a daily dose of PrEP.
"I don't like pills, so taking them daily would be a struggle for me," he said.
Another villager, Thandi Zondi, said she'll take the injection as it's the best solution for preventing HIV.
