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DTHF's Linda-Gail Bekker spoke to SABC about the challenges of current PrEP options. The interview also discusses the next important steps for Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly PrEP injectable, which is in the final stages of its clinical trials, and has already been shown to be superior in its effectiveness to oral daily PrEP in preventing HIV acquisition in cisgender women (in clinical trials held in Uganda and South Africa). "The most important thing we can do now in the [HIV] response, is to try to turn off new infections. As new infections are mostly happening amongst young people, who struggle to take a daily pill. Besides our usual prevention options, we do have daily oral PrEP and this requires daily activities and young people struggle to do that, so this gives us a new and very exciting option. " "Like any new intervention it needs real demand creation, and I am not sure we really have done that. If you compare what we did during covid, to get people to get vaccinated, we have done nothing on that scale, despite the fact that we are a country that has the biggest HIV problem, in the world, and every week, many young people in our country become newly infected. But when we do actually offer it to young people in our programmes, we see that there is acceptance and uptake, but quite soon that falls off and I think that’s just about doing something daily when you are young and you have lot going on in your life." "We have to see what the price of the drug is and then we will need to see will our government procure it. Will we be able to get it into the public sector, and will it be widely available. If so, we need to make sure that we are promoting it as much as we can and then the wonderful thing is that young people now really just need to make a decision twice every year, to go in and have the injection so it really unburdens the users and hopefully it unburdens the health system as well. And we really hope South Africa takes advantage of this." Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/d-R2TVw8 #PURPOSE1 #Lenacapavir #longactingPrEP #PrEP #HIVprevention #demandcreation #injectablePrEP

Lenacapavir (LEN) is a groundbreaking, long-acting HIV prevention tool that could revolutionise global HIV prevention efforts with just two injections per year. Despite claims of promoting “broad, sustainable access,” Gilead's voluntary license (VL) policy excludes nearly half the world’s countries, leaving millions and especially middle-income countries like Brazil, Algeria, and Malaysia, without affordable access. In the US, LEN costs over $40,000 per person annually, raising concerns about the affordability of this life-saving drug for excluded nations. Key concerns include: ⚠️Equity gap: Excluded countries face insurmountable costs, perpetuating health disparities. ⚠️Exploitation: Brazil, which hosted clinical trials, is excluded, raising ethical questions under the Declaration of Helsinki. ⚠️Missed opportunities: The VL omits manufacturers from Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV burden is highest, undermining sustainability and supply chain resilience. This approach hinders global progress in ending HIV. HIV knows no borders so why should access to prevention? Read the full article here 👉https://lnkd.in/dkcAHfJa #GlobalHealth #AccessForAll

📊 The latest report by Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Friends), which was co-published with UNAIDS, delves deep into the transformative power of the global #HIV response. Through six country case studies, including Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, South Africa, Thailand, and Uganda, they uncover how nations are using their HIV initiatives to drive broader #health gains and move closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. From strengthening health systems to promoting Universal Health Coverage, the findings highlight innovative strategies and evidence-based recommendations. Key takeaways reveal the success of HIV investments in bolstering #healthsystems, increasing access to comprehensive care, and addressing diverse health challenges. The resilience and adaptability of HIV platforms are also showcased as essential assets in effective #pandemic prevention and response. Let's advocate for robust investments in HIV to realize these transformative visions!💡🌍 Read more: https://shorturl.at/tzGV8 #HealthEquity #HIVResponse #SDGs #GlobalHealth #GlobalFund #UNAIDS

As we reflect on World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st, it’s clear that the fight against HIV/AIDS remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria. Despite decades of effort, the journey to eradicate this epidemic is far from over. With just six years left to achieve the 95-95-95 goal, there’s a pressing need to rethink our approach. AI and digital solutions can transform HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and data-driven decision-making. By adopting a multi-stakeholder approach and prioritizing local ownership of the fight, Nigeria can not only reduce new infections but also improve health outcomes for those living with HIV. 📢 Dive into my latest article on Businessday to explore actionable ways AI and tech can redefine the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gWFsmXKM #WorldAIDSDay #TechnologyForGood #AIInHealthcare #HIVPrevention #Nigeria2030 #TechEmpowerment

Heartland Alliance Ltd/Gte is honoured to participate in the World Health Organization/PEPFAR Africa Regional PrEP Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 8th to 13th. This workshop serves as a critical platform for discussions surrounding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with a special focus on CAB-LA, the long-acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB) for HIV prevention. CAB-LA represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, offering an injectable form of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug Cabotegravir. The primary objectives of the workshop include: - Provide global updates on new PrEP products, including regulatory approvals and their incorporation into national guidelines. - Share insights from ongoing implementation studies and programmatic rollouts of new PrEP products. - Discuss strategies and considerations for implementing PrEP options tailored to specific populations. - Strengthen partnerships and collaborations to ensure successful PrEP programming across the region. The workshop convenes key stakeholders including; implementers, policymakers, researchers, academics, and funders, to discuss PrEP-related developments and ongoing research efforts. Participants hail from various countries including; Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Four (4) HALG facilities in Lagos ( 3 OSS and 1 general population facility) have been selected for the CAB LA implementation pilot. HALG presented site readiness and training of facilities-level staff in readiness for the pilot. #HIVPrevention #PrEP #CABLA #WHO #PEPFAR #HALG #PublicHealth #EndingHIV #AfricaRegionalWorkshop #HIVAwareness #HealthcareInnovation #Partnerships #CABInjectable #HIVCare      

Gilead Sciences's recent progress with a phase III clinical trial in injectable PreEP could be a big game changer in HIV prevention. Gilead Sciences recently announced that its Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial demonstrated 100% efficacy for lenacapavir - a twice-yearly injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, in preventing HIV in cisgender women.. According to Merdad Parsey, the Chief Medical Officer of Gilead Sciences, the study showed zero infections and 100% efficacy when given two times a year demonstrating its potential as an important new tool to help prevent HIV infections. medicines for africa (mfa) welcomes the development of new technologies that expand the toolbox for preventing HIV infection and help to reduce the rate of infection amongst vulnerable populations. https://lnkd.in/ezy8FfuA #africa #health #healthcare #medicines #vaccines #publichealth #hiv #lenacapavir#healthcareprofessionals #hivprevention Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ezy8FfuA

South Africa's battle against HIV/AIDS signals resilience and progress in the face of a devastating epidemic. From initial denial to pioneering global strategies, the nation has slashed #HIV prevalence and increased treatment outcomes. With unwavering political commitment and robust community engagement, #SouthAfrica integrates prevention, treatment, and support seamlessly into its healthcare fabric. By expanding access to life-saving #antiretroviral therapy and championing innovative research, the country sets a precedent for tackling HIV/AIDS with evidence-based strategies. International partnerships and local initiatives converge to combat stigma, promote testing, and empower affected communities. As South Africa charts a path towards an #AIDS free future, its journey offers invaluable lessons for other African nations. Through shared knowledge and collective action, these countries can employ South Africa's progress to build resilient #healthcare systems and ensure equitable access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Together, we can turn the tide on this epidemic and enable healthier, more empowered societies. This report falls under our 'Insightful Articles' column on our website. Read in full here: https://lnkd.in/d9_TC88n 👉🏽 Like, repost, comment, and help us create more awareness. ✍🏾: Written by Favour Olumuyiwa 🔍: Reviewed by Tomi Abe, Adetoro Adetayo 🖼️: Illustration by Tomi Abe #Susinsight #SusinsightArticle #AdvancingSustainability #HarnessingKnowledgeForImpact #AdvancingSustainabilityInAfrica

PRESS CONFERENCE: SAFEGUARDING UGANDA’S HIV RESPONSE & HEALTHCARE WORKERS Yesterday, UGANET, alongside the CSO community, medical professionals, and extension workers, held a press conference to address the urgent threat posed by the U.S. Government’s stop-work order on PEPFAR-funded HIV programs. Uganda has 1.4 million People Living with HIV (PLHIV), with 1.3 million on life-saving ART. This directive not only threatens their access to treatment but also puts the livelihoods of over 2,500 healthcare workers, thousands of CSO staff, and extension workers at risk. These dedicated professionals have been instrumental in providing essential HIV care, prevention, and community support. We urge the U.S. Government to reverse this order immediately and protect the progress made in Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS. At the same time, we call on the Ugandan government to step up by prioritizing domestic health financing, ensuring HIV programs are funded in the FY 2024/25 supplementary budget and the FY 2025/26 national budget. Uganda must also honor the Abuja Declaration by allocating 15% of the national budget to health. The fight against HIV is a shared responsibility. We cannot afford to lose momentum—lives and livelihoods are on the line! 📢 Join the call for action: #FundHealthNow #EndAIDS #UGANET4SocialJustice

🌍 🇿🇦 An HIV prevention injection that provides six months of protection per shot has been shown to be highly effective in a pivotal trial largely conducted in South Africa. There are however some concerns as to when the injection will become available and how widely. Concerns are that access to the injection containing the antiretroviral drug lenacapavir which is highly effective at preventing HIV infection for six months per shot in South Africa will likely remain limited for at least a few years. 💊 Lenacapavir is in a relatively new class of antiretroviral medicines called capsid inhibitors. This class of antiretrovirals interferes with the protein shell that protects HIV’s genetic material and the enzymes it needs for viral replication. Lenacapavir is also available in pill form, but the new findings relate mainly to its formulation as a long-acting injection. 🇺🇸 Lenacapavir was registered in December 2022 by the United States FDA for treating HIV in combination with other antiretrovirals, but it has not yet been approved for use as HIV prevention and it is not yet registered by SAHPRA. South Africans are hoping that this effective preventive tool will also be available to them. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dG84KGyH #africa #health #healthcare #medicines #vaccines #publichealth #safemedicines #qualitymedicines #counterfeitedmedicines #hiv #southafrica

The Department of HIV, AIDS & Viral Hepatitis in Malawi was struggling with an outdated document management system that made it hard for partners to access essential reports and data. Their employees were overwhelmed by constant requests. Fjelltopp stepped in to implement CKAN, a powerful open-source platform, to streamline data sharing and centralise their resources. With tailored solutions and support, we revamped their system, improved access and enhanced usability. It’s part of our mission to make a global impact. By supporting the Ministry of Health, we’re contributing to better health outcomes and more effective partnerships—all while improving access to vital data. Discover more about this project: https://loom.ly/k-slqI4 #MOH #MinistryofHealth #HIV #AIDS #PublicHealth #HealthData #DataManagement