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"Lenacapavir Rollout in South Africa: Equity Concerns Rise Over HIV Access"
The rollout of Lenacapavir in South Africa is sparking debate over equitable access to HIV prevention, with calls for a larger allocation than the planned 480,000 doses.
- Civil society organizations in South Africa argue that the current plan for Lenacapavir distribution will only cover 480,000 doses, insufficient to address the AIDS crisis effectively.
- Advocates are pushing for an expanded allocation of Lenacapavir to reach at least 2 million people, emphasizing the need for comprehensive HIV prevention strategies.
- Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi faces pressure to ensure the South African health system is adequately prepared for the large-scale implementation of Lenacapavir as pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Why It Matters
The introduction of Lenacapavir represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, but disparities in access could exacerbate existing health inequities. Ensuring broad distribution is crucial for combating the ongoing AIDS epidemic in South Africa.