The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Health, has officially launched Lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine. The event to mark the launch was held on Thursday July 2nd 2026, at Area 25 Community Health Centre in the capital city Lilongwe.
The launch marks another milestone in the country’s efforts to expand HIV prevention options and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The event was presided over by the Guest of Honour, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Honourable Madalitso Baloyi, also attracted several high profile dignitaries, including Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Mary Navicha, Principal Secretary (Administration) in the Ministry of Health Mr Bestone Chisamile, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan Fisher, UNAIDS Country Representative Dr. David Chipanta, Director of HIV, STIs and Hepatitis in the Ministry of Health Linley Chewere, National AIDS Commission Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beatrice Matanje, Member of Parliament for the Lilongwe City Dzenza Constituency Honourable Jonathan Kabulanda Mfune, Mayor of Lilongwe City, His Worship Peter Alex Banda and Ward Councilor Lloyd Matewere.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health and Sanitation Honourable Madalitso Baloyi MP has described the introduction LEN as a great milestone in the National HIV and AIDS response.
LEN is one of significant scientific breakthroughs in HIV prevention in recent years, this is a demonstration that we are doing well as a nation. This long-acting injectable PrEP is administered twice a year, and it provides a highly effective, convenient and discreet prevention option that has the potential to improve adherence and expand access to HIV prevention services for vulnerable populations”, states the Minister.
The Honourable Minister of Health and Sanitation, however, cautioned that LEN is not a standalone solution and has since appealed to all players including traditional and faith leaders, Civil Society Organisations and the media to provide accurate information to help fight against stigma and discrimination as well as promoting equitable access to HIV prevention services.
Speaking earlier on during the event, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Mary Navicha MP upheld the view that the introduction of LEN marks a significant step towards protecting women and girls, who remain disproportionately vulnerable to HIV due to factors such as sexual violence and gender inequality.
It is not possible to achieve meaningful social welfare if women are not healthy l, so the long-acting HIV prevention injection offers hope to women and girls who often have little or no control over their risk of HIV infection” echoed the Gender Minister
She therefore called on those responsible to ensure LEN is also accessible to key populations such as female sex workers.
Meanwhile, the United States of America has committed to support Malawi with LEN for the next three years, with doses enough for 38,000 people per year. The first consignment of 19,000 LEN doses arrived in the country on 5th May 2026. Speaking on behalf of the United States Government, Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan Fisher commended Malawi Government for rolling out LEN among ten countries selected by USG for initial roll out.
This achievement reflects the strong and longstanding partnership between the Governments of Malawi and the United States and we are committed to working with partners to expand access to the medicine at an affordable cost so that more Malawians can benefit in the years ahead,” he explains.
In a separate Media interview, National AIDS Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Beatrice Matanje, while celebrating the milestone, said the country has a lot of work to reduce number of new infections recorded annually. She also cautioned that Lenacapavir ought to be taken within the combination prevention approach.
. “It is my plea that we continue promoting the existing HIV preventive methods such as Condoms, because LEN does not protect one from unwanted pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections like Syphilis and Gonorrhea,” said Dr Matanje.
The new HIV prevention option, Lenacapavir, is expected to compliment other HIV prevention interventions, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (oral PrEP), Injectable Cabotragravir PrEP (CAB-LA), Condoms, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and Behavioral interventions.
