The National Coordinator of National Aids, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs Control Programme, (NASCP), Dr. Adebobola Bashorun has described the rollout of WHO-approved HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, as a “landmark achievement,” for Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s fight against HIV.
Dr. Bashorun said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday where he highlighted Lenacapavir’s potential to expand prevention options of HIV and reduce new infections in Nigeria.
He said: “Nigeria is one of the first adopters globally. I’ll start by saying it is a landmark achievement because this is the first time we are having a medication that can prevent infection to an efficacy level of 100%.”
Dr. Bashorun noted that prioritizing high-risk groups for Lenacapavir could significantly curb new HIV infections in Nigeria.
“So, for some reasons, it’s only for the high-risk groups now because it was actually approved by WHO for global use last year, July. So if we are able to make this more and more [available to] the high-risk groups, or people that are at personal risk more than others, of course, it will tend to stop transmission and stop new infections,” he noted.
He stressed that broader access to the drug would be key to halting transmission while the search for a universal vaccine continues.
“I think we’ll still get to that point where we’re going to get a vaccine to fully just protect everyone, just the way we’ve been using the normal immunization procedures—polio, the way we eradicated smallpox and the rest. I think we’ll get to that point too.”
Speaking on the distribution strategy and rollout, Dr. Bashorun said the phased approach ensures safety and prioritises high-risk groups.
“We have clear-cut eligibility criteria for it. Currently it’s [for] high risk number one, then number two, it is well controlled under the custody of the Federal Government.”
Dr. Bashorun revealed that the national launch in the FCT marks the official start of Nigeria’s Lenacapavir rollout, with further administration planned in eight additional states.
“So officially, we did the first jab today. Today was the launch. We are still going to eight other states to do the same thing,” he shared.
Stressing that safety and eligibility guidelines remain a top priority, Dr. Bashorun said:
“But for you to have the first jab, there are some principles you have to be sure of. Number one, you know it’s a prevention drug, so you have to be negative. Once you are negative, you are eligible if you are high risk. Then number two is pregnancy; you should not be pregnant at this point. For now pregnant women are out of it until we get additional,” he explained.
Adding, he said that while mild side effects like headaches or nausea may occur, Lenacapavir is generally well-tolerated.
“But in terms of safety, it’s very safe. Just normal side effects that you have when you use other medications: headaches, slight headaches based on your body reactions, then maybe nausea. Just normal treatment. I even think it’s a bit less than—it has less side effects than even anti-malaria.”
Dr. Bashorun clarified that Lenacapavir is being provided free of charge.
“It is free. As long as you are eligible and meet the criteria,” he stated.
Favour Odima.
Follow us on:
, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun has described the rollout of WHO-approved HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, as a “landmark achievement,”</p>
){kind=link}