KEY POINTS
- Nigeria receives 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, part of a 52,000-dose Global Fund-supported initiative for HIV prevention.
- The injection targets high-risk groups and will be distributed free of charge in eight pilot states.
- Officials highlight the role of lenacapavir in Nigeria’s plan to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030 and reduce new infections.
Nigeria has officially received 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable medicine designed to prevent HIV infections.
The delivery took place on Wednesday at the Federal Central Stores in Oshodi, Lagos, marking the first tranche of a total of 52,000 doses expected in three batches.
This initiative is part of a Global Fund-supported programme targeting high-risk populations.
Speaking at the reception, Mohammed Patiko, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), noted that Nigeria is one of nine countries worldwide selected for the early rollout of this innovative HIV prevention injection. “The first batch of 11,520 doses has arrived. The next batches are expected in May and October,” he said.
Target Populations and Distribution Plan
The injection will primarily target serodiscordant couples, people at high risk of HIV, and key populations including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and transgender individuals.
For the pilot study, lenacapavir will be provided free of charge at designated health facilities across eight states: Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue. Distribution is set to begin next week through existing logistics networks.
Oladipupo Fisher, Lagos State AIDS Programme Coordinator, emphasised that the new injectable strengthens Nigeria’s multi-pronged prevention strategy.
“Our goal is to reduce both new and existing HIV infections. Prevention products like lenacapavir are crucial to achieving the global target of eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030,” he stated.
