By Favour Phyllis Chauluka:
Malawi has recorded strong demand for lenacapavir, a long acting HIV prevention injection administered twice a year, with 1,392 people already initiated on the medicine since its national rollout in July.
The development comes weeks after the Government of Malawi, in partnership with the United States Government, launched lenacapavir on July 2, 2026, as part of efforts to expand HIV prevention options and reduce new infections.
Head of Health Communications in the Ministy of Health and Sanitation Mavuto Thomas said the response to the new prevention option had been encouraging. Overall, the demand for lenacapavir has been high,” Thomas said.
He explained that the medicine is currently available at 14 health facilities in Lilongwe and Blantyre, with the Ministry working to add more service delivery points to widen access to injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis.
In Lilongwe, the service is available at Bwaila Hospital, Area 25 Health Centre, Likuni Mission Hospital, Area 47 DIC, Kawale Health Centre, Kabudula Rural Hospital and Kamuzu Barracks Clinic.
In Blantyre, it is available at Gateway Health Centre, Ndirande Health Centre, Bangwe Health Centre, Naperi DIC, Chileka Health Centre and Mlambe Mission Hospital.
Thomas said the United States Government had provided 38,000 doses for the initial rollout in 2026, while funding had been secured for the subsequent phase.
“For the next three years, PEPFAR will procure lenacapavir for Malawi,” he said.
Thomas added that the Ministry plans to include lenacapavir in Malawis Global Fund Cycle 8 application to help sustain access beyond the three-year support period.
The Ministry plans to expand the programme in three phases, with the first targeting 48 sites, including all district hospitals. The second phase will increase coverage to 100 sites, while the third phase is scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, lenacapavir is administered every six months, providing another option for people seeking protection against HIV.
The introduction of the medicine follows its regulatory approval in Malawi in November 2025.
