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Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot
Zimbabwe Rolls Out Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot in Groundbreaking Initiative
In a major advancement in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwe has been selected as one of ten nations worldwide to introduce lenacapavir, a revolutionary twice-yearly injection that represents the first long-acting HIV prevention medication requiring only two doses annually. The groundbreaking prophylactic drug, hailed by global health experts as potentially transformative in HIV prevention, offers nearly 100% protection against infection and could significantly alter the landscape of AIDS prevention in a country grappling with one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates.
The announcement, made by the US Embassy in Harare, positions Zimbabwe at the forefront of HIV prevention technology and underscores the country’s progress in building robust healthcare infrastructure capable of implementing advanced medical interventions. With approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV in Zimbabwe according to UNAIDS figures, the introduction of lenacapavir offers new hope in the nation’s ongoing battle against the epidemic that has affected countless families and communities for decades.
A Revolutionary Approach to HIV Prevention
Lenacapavir represents a paradigm shift in HIV prevention strategies, moving from daily pill regimens to biannual injections that dramatically reduce the adherence challenges that have long complicated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs. The drug’s exceptional efficacy rates, demonstrated in clinical trials showing more than 99% effectiveness in preventing HIV infections, have generated unprecedented excitement among global health organizations and public health experts monitoring the HIV/AIDS landscape.
“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasizing the drug’s transformative potential in global HIV prevention efforts.
The selection of Zimbabwe for the initial rollout recognizes the country’s significant progress in developing what public health expert Ponesai Nyika describes as a “very solid HIV response infrastructure.” According to detailed reporting from AllAfrica, Zimbabwe’s established healthcare partnerships with organizations like PEPFAR (the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and local institutions created an ideal foundation for introducing this advanced medical intervention. Nyika noted that these existing systems “create a solid foundation for the introduction of lenacapavir,” ensuring the drug reaches those most vulnerable to infection.
The Zimbabwean rollout will specifically target populations with heightened HIV susceptibility, including adolescent girls and pregnant or breastfeeding women—groups that have historically faced disproportionate infection risks due to biological, social, and economic factors. This targeted approach reflects the growing sophistication of HIV prevention strategies that recognize the need to address the epidemic through both medical and social lenses.
Global Enthusiasm and Local Realities
International health organizations have greeted the development of lenacapavir with unprecedented enthusiasm, with UNAIDS officials describing the medication in remarkably optimistic terms. The organization’s deputy director, Angeli Achrekar, characterized the drug as representing a potential watershed moment in the decades-long global response to HIV/AIDS, highlighting both its exceptional efficacy and its position as the most advanced prevention tool currently available.
“We are talking about it as a potential miracle drug,” Achrekar stated in an interview. “Right now, the fact that it is nearly 100% effective at stopping new infections is remarkable, it’s unprecedented. It’s the best thing we’ve got in the HIV response. We do not have a vaccine or cure, but this is extraordinary.”
The drug’s development pathway included two major clinical trials—one conducted in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on women and girls, and another in the United States involving gay and bisexual men and transgender women. The consistent demonstration of over 99% efficacy across these diverse populations has bolstered confidence in lenacapavir’s potential to significantly reduce the approximately 1.3 million new HIV infections occurring globally each year. This breakthrough comes at a critical time, as reported by various Zimbabwe news outlets covering the country’s ongoing health challenges.
Beyond its remarkable efficacy, lenacapavir’s twice-yearly administration schedule addresses one of the most persistent challenges in HIV prevention: medication adherence. Nyika explained that reducing the frequency of dosing “makes it even more effective as it reduces incidents of low adherence to HIV treatment,” potentially overcoming a significant barrier that has limited the impact of previous prevention methods requiring daily commitment.
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Accessibility
Despite the widespread optimism surrounding lenacapavir, the rollout has prompted important questions about cost, safety, and equitable access—concerns that echo historical challenges in global health implementation. Some Zimbabweans have expressed skepticism about whether this advanced medical intervention will truly be accessible to those most in need, with cost emerging as a particularly significant barrier given the drug’s initial pricing structure.
The medication’s journey from conception to implementation highlights the complex economics of pharmaceutical development. Originally projected to cost approximately $28,000 per person annually, aggressive negotiations and partnerships with global health organizations have dramatically reduced the price to around $40 per year for prevention regimens in low and middle-income countries. However, even this reduced cost raises questions about sustainability and scalability in nations with constrained healthcare budgets.
“How is it going to help us? Because I’m sure it’s for the rich,” questioned one Ugandan citizen, reflecting concerns shared by many across the region about whether groundbreaking medical advances truly reach ordinary citizens in resource-limited settings.
Safety considerations represent another dimension of public concern, though health experts have sought to provide reassurance based on available data. Nyika acknowledged that, like any new medication, lenacapavir may produce side effects, but emphasized that “the data that we have does show that lenacapavir is very safe and well tolerated.” He stressed the importance of transparent communication about potential side effects to build public trust and facilitate successful adoption of the new prevention method.
The lenacapavir prevention regimen involves an initial oral component—two tablets taken on the day of the first injection and two additional tablets the following day—before transitioning to the twice-yearly injection schedule. This hybrid approach ensures immediate protection while establishing the long-acting preventive coverage that makes the intervention so revolutionary.
To address cost and accessibility challenges, experts point to multiple potential strategies, including continued negotiations by middle- and low-income countries, possible local or regional production of pharmaceutical components, and leveraging existing supply chains and community health systems. Nyika suggested that “leveraging the existing supply chain, community health system and different service delivery modules will help ensure equitable access,” emphasizing the importance of building on established infrastructure rather than creating parallel systems.
Partnerships with major global health initiatives like PEPFAR and the Global Fund are expected to play a crucial role in making lenacapavir accessible throughout Zimbabwe and other participating nations. These organizations’ established networks, funding mechanisms, and implementation experience position them to facilitate the complex process of introducing a novel medical intervention in diverse healthcare settings.
Zimbabwe joins nine other African nations in the initial lenacapavir rollout, including Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Eswatini, and Botswana, with full implementation targeted by January 2026. The ambitious plan envisions expanding access to approximately 120 low- and middle-income countries by 2027, potentially transforming HIV prevention on a global scale.
As Zimbabwe prepares to implement this groundbreaking prevention tool, the country stands at a pivotal moment in its long battle against HIV/AIDS. The successful integration of lenacapavir into existing healthcare frameworks could not only reduce new infections but also demonstrate how scientific innovation, when coupled with thoughtful implementation strategies, can address some of the world’s most persistent public health challenges.
Economy
Walmart Arrives in South Africa
Walmart Arrives in South Africa: US Retail Giant Launches with Promise of “Every Day Low Prices”
JOHANNESBURG – In a move that marks a significant shift in South Africa’s retail landscape, American retail behemoth Walmart has officially opened its first store in the country. The landmark launch at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, signals the start of a direct challenge to established local chains like Checkers and Pick n Pay with a firm promise of consistently lower prices.
The store’s opening is the culmination of a long-term strategy that began over a decade ago. The US retail giant first acquired 51% of Massmart in 2010, completing its acquisition of the group in 2022. The company was then delisted from the JSE. After Massmart’s long-term struggles with brands like Game, Walmart announced plans in September 2025 to start rolling out its branded stores for the first time in the country, leveraging its global reputation for value.
A New Shopping Destination on the West Rand
The new Walmart store at Clearwater Mall introduces a modern, spacious shopping destination designed to meet the evolving needs of South African customers. Spanning roughly 3,500 square metres of trading space and employing 86 staff under manager Onnica Mothapo, the store aims to be a one-stop shop for a wide variety of needs.
Massmart, which operates Walmart in South Africa, said the store stocks a wide and carefully curated assortment of quality products. These range from fresh and frozen foods, groceries, and household essentials to health and beauty items, apparel, baby products, homeware, electronics, toys, sports and outdoor equipment, and seasonal goods. The grand opening this coming weekend will see the store open its doors at 08h00 on Saturday, with the group promising special offers, competitions, and fun activities for families.
“With the opening of our Clearwater store, customers on the West Rand will be able to shop on their own schedule,” said Massmart CEO Miles van Rensburg. “They can trust that they will always get an Every Day Low Price on their basket of purchases without having to wait for short-term promotions.”
Shoppers can expect a diverse product range, including unique and international items not commonly found in local supermarkets. Product highlights include Crumbs and Cream Cookie Ice-Cream, Premium Sparta Beef steaks and roasts, a deli with hot rotisserie chickens, and international aisles offering confectionery and beverages from the U.S., Dubai, and the UK. Other notable items are Pickle-in-a-Pouch, Sour Patch Kids candy, Gourmet Col’Cacchio pizzas, and authentic VSG Italian Pasta and Frozen Meals. For tech and home enthusiasts, the store offers a versatile air fryer range, PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro consoles, Hisense TVs, and a Slush Puppie range of appliances and concentrates. The toy section features Fuggler and Labubu toys, Hot Wheels, and Bricks toys, while beauty shoppers can find Catrice and Essence ranges.
This significant retail development is a key topic of discussion across the nation, with many eager to see how it will affect their household budgets. For more updates on how this and other business developments are shaping the local economy, follow the latest South Africa news.
Price War: Walmart Claims Victory Over Checkers and Pick n Pay
The core of Walmart’s market entry strategy is its “Every Day Low Prices” model, a concept that has made it the world’s largest retailer. To prove its commitment, Massmart’s leadership presented compelling data during a media briefing at the Clearwater store. Dries D’Hooghe, Chief Operating Officer of Massmart, shared the results of a pricing comparison that showed Walmart easily outperforming its competitors.
“This is not a gimmick. These are real till slips, and this is what Walmart’s Every Day Low Price means,” D’Hooghe said. “We will keep this price every day of the week and every day of the month. We take out all the hassle to get the lowest prices. This is the concept that made Walmart great and the number one retailer in the rest of the world.”
The comparison of a basket of goods revealed that Walmart’s total was R1,680. Two unnamed competitors, despite running aggressive promotions, were significantly more expensive, charging R1,713 and R1,868 respectively for the same items. When promotions were not factored in, the competitors’ prices jumped to R1,895 and R1,901. D’Hooghe added that over time, South African consumers would come to understand that Walmart does not rely on short-term promotions but instead provides the lowest prices consistently.
An independent price check by the Daily Investor confirmed D’Hooghe’s claims, showing that a basket of goods from Walmart is indeed cheaper than that of major South African retailers like Checkers and Pick n Pay. This aggressive pricing strategy is set to intensify competition in the sector, potentially leading to wider price wars that could benefit consumers but put pressure on local retailers’ margins.
The retail landscape is not the only sector experiencing significant changes; the nation’s infrastructure and public safety also remain a focus. Recent incidents, such as a tragic bus accident South Africa is investigating, highlight the ongoing challenges and importance of safe and reliable transport for communities and the economy. As new international players like Walmart establish a foothold, the interconnected nature of commerce, logistics, and public welfare becomes ever more apparent.
Looking ahead, Massmart has already confirmed plans to launch a second Walmart store in Fourways Mall, the largest shopping mall in South Africa. Situated in the heart of the bustling Fourways area, the mall has struggled with foot traffic in recent years. Analysts predict that the arrival of Walmart will serve as a major draw card, significantly increasing the number of shoppers and revitalizing the retail node. This expansion signals Walmart’s serious intent to capture a substantial share of the South African market, setting the stage for a dramatic reshuffling of the country’s retail hierarchy.
