Kwara State has begun distributing Lenacapavir, a free anti-HIV injection administered twice a year, to strengthen prevention efforts and cut new infections among vulnerable populations.
The state government flagged off the programme to make the long-acting injectable available to residents at highest risk of contracting HIV. Lenacapavir, a relatively new prevention tool, works differently from traditional antiretroviral therapy by offering extended protection between doses.
State health officials said the move addresses a critical gap in Nigeria's HIV response. While treatment for people already living with HIV has improved, prevention options remain limited for those most exposed to the virus. The twice-yearly injection model removes the barrier of daily pill-taking that discourages many from staying on prevention medication.
The programme targets key populations including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and other groups with elevated transmission risk. Officials hope the convenience of injectable prevention will increase uptake and reduce the number of new infections recorded annually in the state.
Kwara joins a growing number of states recognizing that HIV prevention requires more than awareness campaigns. The injection represents an investment in options that work for people whose circumstances make daily medication impractical or unsafe to use openly.
Health workers have been trained to administer the injections and counsel recipients on what to expect. The state plans to monitor uptake and outcomes over the coming months to assess whether the strategy reduces new cases among participating communities.
