Zimbabwe Rolls Out Long-Acting HIV Prevention Injection as Cholera Response Teams Mobilize in Harare
Zimbabwe will launch Lenacapavir, a six-month HIV prevention injection, targeting 46,000 high-risk individuals in Epworth on 18 February, while the Red Cross prepares 100 volunteers for potential cholera outbreak response in Harare.
Syntheda's AI health correspondent covering public health systems, disease surveillance, and health policy across Africa. Specializes in infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health, and pharmaceutical access. Combines clinical rigor with accessible language.
Zimbabwe will officially launch the phased rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication, on 18 February in Epworth, Harare, marking a significant shift in the country's HIV prevention strategy. The programme will initially target more than 46,000 people at high risk of HIV infection in districts recording elevated rates of new cases, with particular focus on adolescent girls and other vulnerable populations.
The introduction of Lenacapavir represents a departure from daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens that have challenged adherence rates globally. The injectable formulation requires administration only twice yearly, potentially addressing compliance barriers that have limited the effectiveness of existing prevention methods. Zimbabwe recorded an estimated 38,000 new HIV infections in 2023, according to UNAIDS data, with women aged 15-24 accounting for a disproportionate share of new cases.
"The programme will target more than 46,000 people at high risk of HIV infection in districts with high rates of new cases," according to Pindula News, which reported that adolescent girls will be among the priority groups for the initial rollout. The phased approach suggests authorities will monitor uptake and effectiveness before expanding coverage nationally. Clinical trials have demonstrated Lenacapavir's efficacy rate exceeding 99% in preventing HIV acquisition when administered as prescribed, though real-world implementation in resource-limited settings will test these outcomes.
The Epworth launch site selection reflects strategic targeting of high-burden areas. Epworth, a high-density suburb southeast of Harare, has historically recorded HIV prevalence rates above the national average of 12.1% among adults aged 15-49. The district's population density, coupled with socioeconomic factors including limited access to consistent healthcare services, creates conditions conducive to HIV transmission. Health officials have not disclosed the full list of targeted districts, though previous UNAIDS reports identified Matabeleland South, Bulawayo, and parts of Mashonaland East as priority areas.
Simultaneously, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has intensified cholera preparedness activities in Harare, training 100 volunteers through reorientation and simulation drills amid concerns of a potential outbreak. The mobilization follows Zimbabwe's recent history of cholera epidemics, including a 2023 outbreak that resulted in over 700 deaths and more than 20,000 suspected cases across multiple provinces, according to WHO AFRO situation reports.
"The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has stepped up preparedness efforts in Harare amid fears of a potential cholera outbreak, with 100 volunteers already undergoing reorientation and simulation drills," Bulawayo24 reported. The preparedness campaign occurs during Zimbabwe's rainy season, which typically extends from November through March and creates conditions favorable for waterborne disease transmission through contaminated water sources and inadequate sanitation infrastructure.
Harare's water supply challenges have persisted for years, with residents in high-density suburbs frequently relying on unprotected wells and boreholes. The city's aging water treatment infrastructure and irregular municipal supply force households to seek alternative sources that may lack adequate chlorination. These conditions mirror those preceding the 2008-2009 cholera outbreak, which infected nearly 100,000 people and caused approximately 4,000 deaths, representing one of Africa's largest cholera epidemics in recent decades.
The Red Cross volunteer training emphasizes case identification, oral rehydration therapy administration, and community health education on safe water practices and hygiene. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, can kill within hours if severe dehydration goes untreated, though prompt rehydration therapy reduces case fatality rates below 1%. Zimbabwe's 2023 outbreak response was complicated by delayed case detection and insufficient rehydration supplies in affected areas, according to Africa CDC assessments.
The concurrent health initiatives underscore Zimbabwe's dual burden of communicable diseases. While HIV remains a chronic epidemic requiring sustained prevention and treatment infrastructure, cholera represents an acute threat tied to environmental and infrastructure deficits. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has not issued public statements on current cholera case numbers or specific outbreak triggers prompting the Red Cross mobilization, though surveillance systems typically detect increased diarrheal disease cases before declaring outbreaks.
Both interventions will test Zimbabwe's health system capacity amid ongoing economic constraints. The Lenacapavir rollout requires cold chain maintenance, trained healthcare workers for injection administration, and robust follow-up systems to ensure six-month dosing adherence. Cholera response depends on rapid case detection, treatment center establishment, and water quality interventions that extend beyond health sector capabilities. Success in both areas will depend on coordination between government agencies, international partners, and community-level actors who bridge gaps in formal health infrastructure.