Demand surges for anti-HIV injection

n n

Nigerians have begun scrambling for Lenacapavir, a newly introduced injection for the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, ahead of its nationwide rollout.

n

Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that many individuals, particularly those aware of pre-exposure prophylaxis, have been approaching health facilities and non-governmental organisations across states in a bid to access it.

n

The development comes as the Federal Government begins deploying the twice-yearly HIV prevention medication in selected pilot states amid rising demand and growing public interest.

n

Nigeria HIV statistics, Lenacapavir

n

Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drug developed by Gilead Sciences and recommended by the World Health Organisation as an additional PrEP option.

n

It offers a long-acting alternative to daily HIV prevention pills.

n

The WHO’s endorsement in July 2025 marked a milestone in global HIV prevention strategy as the organisation urged nations to incorporate the injectable into broader prevention programmes.

n

Based on 2024-2025 estimates from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, there are approximately two million people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

n

The Federal Government, through the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, announced the receipt of the HIV prevention injection on March 11.

n

The National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, said the agency, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, would work to ensure the safe introduction, strategic deployment, and effective integration of Lenacapavir into national HIV prevention options.

n

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the Federal Government is expecting a total of 52,000 doses, out of which 11,520 have been delivered.

n

Nine states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, have been listed as pilot locations for the rollout of the injection.

n

Sunday PUNCH further learnt that Lenacapavir will be unveiled on March 24 across the states and the FCT.

n

The memo informing the pilot states about the national inauguration of the injection was signed by Bashorun, as sighted by Sunday PUNCH.

n

Findings revealed that health workers are currently undergoing training on standard procedures and guidelines for administering the PrEP.

n

For now, the injection, though free, is not yet available in pharmacies.

n

Our correspondents gathered that the HIV pre-exposure injection would be administered at designated health centres, including general hospitals across the pilot states.

n

High demand in Osun, Anambra, Benue

n

A leader of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, told Sunday PUNCH that many people had been requesting the injection.

n

NEPWHAN has over 1,030 support groups across Nigeria.

n

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Within the HIV community response, there is awareness and high demand for Len PrEP. Discordant couples (people living with HIV with negative partners) are seriously demanding it. Relatives of people living with HIV have also been approaching us and the health centres we use to request the injection.”

n

The Osogbo-based HIV-positive official disclosed that Osun State had also been included among the pilot states.

n

“Initially, Osun was not part of the pilot states, but preparations are now underway for the administration of the injection. I attended a meeting on Tuesday in Osogbo where personnel recruitment for the rollout was discussed,” she said.

n

Similarly, an NGO worker in Anambra State, Rose (surname withheld), said there was high demand for Len PrEP among residents.

n

She disclosed that the injection had been received and was being distributed across local government areas in the state.

n

“I can confirm that the drug is currently in Anambra, and the priority groups are discordant couples and individuals at risk of exposure. We are not selling it because we received it at no cost from our sponsors, including the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria.

n

“The Len PrEP arrived at the hospital where I work this week, and some doses have already been distributed to designated health facilities across local governments.

n

“People have been asking for PrEP even before its arrival, often believing it is a cure rather than a preventive measure. HIV prevalence in Anambra is quite high. In my local government alone, we’ve recorded about 100 cases.

n

“So, there is strong interest, but many people are seeking it under the misconception that it cures HIV,” she said.

n

Sunday PUNCH also gathered that some health workers in the state were among individuals waiting to be in the first batch of those to receive the Len PrEP.

n

A top government official who spoke with Sunday PUNCH said the health workers had communicated their interest in the injection to the state Ministry of Health.

n

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the state general hospital in North Bank had been selected as the designated facility for the inauguration of the Len PrEP, which would take place on Tuesday.

n

Ogwuche, who said the injection would be administered free of charge, confirmed that there was high demand for it, especially among health workers seeking preventive measures.

n

“It is free, and there is strong demand, even among health workers, for preventive purposes,” he said.

n

However, the director of a non-governmental organisation in the state, Apin Public Health Initiative, Godwin Onoja, lamented the low level of awareness about the injection, arguing that more people would opt for it once they become aware of its availability.

n

Injection not HIV cure

n

A non-governmental organisation working on HIV/AIDS prevention in the country, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, said the injection does not cure HIV-positive patients but only prevents infection in individuals who are not yet infected.

n

According to the group, the injection should also not be taken by pregnant women, adding that the government has been training those who will administer the drug.

n

“It is not a cure for HIV. If someone is already infected, that person will require lifelong antiretroviral therapy. This injectable drug is strictly for prevention.

n

“The approval we currently have for Lenacapavir in the country is limited to non-pregnant individuals. For now, the Ministry of Health has advised that pregnant women should not take the injection,” said Dr Ida-Michaels John, Osun State Technical Lead of ECEWS, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH.

n

The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria described the injection as a “pre-exposure prophylaxis inhibitor” designed to prevent HIV infection among individuals at risk.

n

A top official of the group, Tunde Omole, clarified that the injection works in the bloodstream to prevent the virus from establishing infection after exposure.

n

He said, “We call it an HIV pre-exposure inhibitor; it’s an injection, not a vaccine. It works in the bloodstream so that even if you are exposed to HIV, it prevents infection.”

n

He stressed that the injection should not be mistaken for a cure for HIV/AIDS.

n

Omole also urged the Federal Government to make the injection available nationwide, similar to how antiretroviral drugs are distributed through public health programmes.

n

He noted that early adoption could help reduce new infection rates, especially among high-risk groups.

n

Addressing safety concerns, Omole said available research indicates minimal side effects.

n

“From what doctors and researchers have said, the common side effects are swelling at the injection site and mild pain. No major side effects have been reported so far,” he added.

n

Pharmacists caution Nigerians

n

Also, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ayuba Tanko, urged caution, warning that enthusiasm must not outpace regulatory due process.

n

According to him, while the twice-yearly injection represents a major advancement in HIV prevention, its deployment in the country must strictly follow national drug safety protocols.

n

Tanko explained that the country’s regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC, must complete comprehensive assessments before the drug is widely introduced.

n

He disclosed that the PSN had inaugurated a committee to review the injection and advise the Federal Government.

n

“Before any approval for public use, the relevant regulatory authorities must ensure that it meets safety, efficacy, and quality standards. That is why this committee has been established, and we await its conclusions.

n

“As promising as this drug is, approval and implementation must be guided by science and strict safeguards. We must not allow public excitement to override regulatory discipline,” he said.

n

A’Ibom designates nine centres for access

n

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Government said it had designated nine facilities for the reception of the injection.

n

The Project Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Enobong Akpan, disclosed this while speaking with one of our correspondents in Uyo, the state capital, on Friday.

n

He listed the facilities to include the PHC Operational Base in Uyo; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene; General Hospital, Oron; and Primary Health Centre, Mbo.

n

Others are OSS Uyo; Imaobong Missionary Hospital, Ibesikpo; Immanuel General Hospital, Eket; and Primary Health Centre, Ikot Ebok, Eket.

n

Akpan, however, said the injection had yet to arrive in the state.

n

“The injection has not yet arrived. We are expecting it in the month of March,” he said.

n

Kwara lists six health facilities

n

Findings by Sunday PUNCH in Kwara State indicate that the injectable drug has already been received and deployed in selected health facilities for use among eligible residents.

n

Confirming the development, the Kwara State AIDS Coordinator, Alabi Saleem, described Lenacapavir as a significant innovation in HIV prevention, particularly for individuals at higher risk of infection.

n

“Lenacapavir is the current treatment innovation administered as an injectable to individuals in discordant relationships with their sexual partners, either the husband or the wife, as the case may be,” the coordinator said.

n

He added, “It has been launched by the Federal Ministry of Health across some pilot states, including Kwara State, and the injectables are now available in a few states, Kwara inclusive.”

n

According to him, the injection can be accessed at six designated facilities in the state, namely Kwara State University of Technology, Specialist Hospital Offa, Comprehensive Health Care Centre Shongai in Edu, Sobi Specialist/Civil Service Hospital, General Hospital Kaiama, and the Kwara KP One Stop Shop.

n

The coordinator disclosed that the treatment was being offered free of charge, noting that no payment was required for eligible persons seeking the preventive service.

n

He explained that while PrEP had traditionally been administered in tablet form, the injectable version represents an advancement aimed at improving adherence and convenience for users.

n

“Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis tablets are usually administered to prevent HIV infection during sexual intercourse involving an HIV-negative person and a carrier, whether they are couples or sexual partners, with female sex workers being among the prominent users due to their vulnerability,” he added.

n n