By Justina Auta
The Federal Government says Nigeria has recorded significant progress toward the
introduction and nationwide rollout of Lenacapavir (LEN) as a Pre-Exposure
Prophylaxis (PrEP) option to strengthen HIV prevention efforts.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, Head of Media
and Publicity at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), on
Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Nigeria is advancing preparations for the introduction
of Lenacapavir, an injectable HIV prevention option administered twice yearly, as
part of efforts to accelerate progress toward HIV epidemic control.
NACA disclosed that commodities for the Lenacapavir PrEP programme were
expected to arrive in the country in March, paving the way for a phased
deployment.
“This is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen HIV prevention and
accelerate progress toward epidemic control,” the agency stated, adding that
coordinated national efforts had been established to ensure a structured and
quality-assured rollout of LEN PrEP across priority states.
“Nigeria is on track for the phased introduction of LEN PrEP, supported by
regulatory approval, system preparedness, trained personnel and community
engagement strategies,” the statement said.
NACA said key milestones had already been achieved to support implementation.
“These include the completion of landscape and readiness assessments in 10 states:
Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Gombe, Kano, Kwara and Lagos.
The agency further disclosed that regulatory approval for Lenacapavir had been
granted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), adding that a National Training of Trainers was conducted in Abuja,
followed by step-down training for healthcare workers in the selected states.
According to NACA, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials
have been developed to enhance public awareness and promote uptake of the new
HIV prevention option.
