Valentine’s Day gifts came early for South Africans when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country will begin the programme to roll out lenacapavir, which is an H.IV prevention injection of six months.
Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will roll out lenacapavir which is a long-acting PrEP injection given just twice a year, offering powerful protection against HIV transmission during his State of The Nation Address (SONA) held at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening.
“In support of our programmes to prevent and ultimately eliminate HIV, we will be undertaking a massive rollout of Lenacapavir, a six-monthly injection that has proven highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV.
“We are also working to end cervical cancer in our country by mobilising society to ensure that every young girl between the ages of 9 and 15 receives the HPV vaccine,” he said
While talking about the HIV six month prevention, Ramaphosa further touched on the NHI.
“As part of preparation for the NHI, we are investing in health facilities, personnel and systems to improve access to quality care.
“We will be undertaking substantial investment in health infrastructure, prioritising the construction and revitalisation of academic hospitals,” President Ramaphosa said.
South Africa’s public healthcare facilities serve more than 80% of the population with only 16% of South Africans making use of private facilities.
“On a recent visit to George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, I witnessed the dire effects of inadequate health infrastructure.
“Starting with George Mukhari Hospital, we will be working with various public and private financing institutions to finance the building and revitalisation of healthcare facilities,” he said.