For decades, people living with HIV have relied on daily pills to manage the virus and prevent it from progressing into AIDS. But now, a groundbreaking drug called Lenacapavir is offering hope for a simpler and less burdensome future.
Lenacapavir, developed by U.S. company Gilead Sciences, is an injectable treatment taken only once every six months. Unlike daily antiretroviral pills, it provides long-term protection, works even for people whose HIV has resisted other medications, and could also be used as prevention (PrEP) for those most at risk of infection.
At the International AIDS Society (IAS) conference held in Kigali in July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed its use after clinical trials showed that 99.9% of people injected with Lenacapavir tested negative for HIV. Rwanda is among the first 10 countries selected for the initial rollout.
Voices from Kigali
According to BBC News Gahuza, several Rwandans at high risk of HIV shared their excitement about this new treatment.
Claire Nyiramwiza, from Ngoma District, who contracted HIV as a teenager and has relied on daily pills for more than 10 years, said the injection would ease her life:
“It sounds good. Doctors told us about it, but they also admitted they don’t know when it will reach us. If I was given a six-month supply, I rarely finished it, sometimes I would still have about 10 tablets left. That means I skipped doses, and that’s not good.”
Jeannine, a sex worker in Kigali, expressed her relief that Lenacapavir is coming soon:
“I thank God that this drug is coming, because I will take it with joy. Why would anyone fear when they know it works? As long as it works, it’s pure ‘enjoy’.”
She added: “This drug will protect me from so many risks. I want to be among the very first to take it.”
Kagabo, a 29-year-old from Nyanza District, who has sex with men, also shared his hopes: “Anal sex carries a very high risk of infection. If this drug comes, it would be a huge relief because it could protect us from HIV.”
A Turning Point in Rwanda’s HIV Fight
Rwanda’s Health Minister, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, confirmed that the country is preparing to include Lenacapavir in its HIV program in the coming months.
With HIV prevalence remaining below 3% since 2005, experts believe this six-month injection could sustain Rwanda’s progress and reduce stigma, marking a new chapter in the fight against the epidemic.
RADIOTV10
