Malik Fahad, Masaka region
Masaka region has rolled out the use of injectable Lenacapavir (LEN) amidst a call for behavior change as a preventive measure in the fight against HIV.
Addressing journalists in Masaka during a media science cafe organized by Health Journalists Network Uganda -HEJNU to sensitize journalists in the region about the injectable lenacapavir (LEN), Robert Bbosa, Infectious Diseases Institute Masaka Region Biomedical prevention specialist, urged people in the region to work on the behaviors that expose them to the risk of getting infected as they use the available preventive biomedical products.
Bbosa explains that several health facilities in Masaka region have been supplied with Len doses. People are turning up in big numbers to get the product. However, few facilities have been supplied with the commodity in the first phase, noting that those that may not be able to obtain the injectable lenacapavir can use other available preventive measures, as they are also proven to offer protection to users.
Health facilities that have supplies of LEN include Masaka Regional Referral Hospital with about 40 doses, Sembabule Health Center III, which got 30, Bukakata Health Center III, which got 40 doses, and Kasensero Health Center III, among other health facilities, though some facilities like Sembabule and Kasensero have already reported stockouts.
“We have about 26 facilities in the Wakiso Masaka cluster, which are benefiting in the first phase of the supply of LEN. Five of these facilities are in Masaka, and the rest are in Wakiso. Four facilities have already received LEN and TASO; Masaka is yet to receive the commodity.” He added.
He says that they have sensitized health workers about how the injectable lenacapavir is administered, and they are sensitizing members of the public about LEN and other partners so that people can get the right information about the commodity.
“LEN is offering people alternative preventive measures they can choose from, so people should not be so excited about LEN and abandon the other available measures like PEP, PREP, and the ring, and the existing injectable option, because some have similar efficacy levels,” he added.
Masaka is giving priority to expectant mothers, adolescents, and groups of people that are at high risk of getting infected, such as people who use drugs and those exposed to domestic violence, among other risky community to get LEN.
Masaka district health officer Dr. Faith Nakiyimba, however, raised concern over high cases of new infections among adolescents in the region despite several efforts put in place to fight new infections in the region.
She blames the increasing number of new infections on complacency, but she is optimistic that the new product Len will boost the fight against HIV since people have gotten used to the available preventive measures.
She said that Masaka was given a priority to benefit in the first phase of the rollout of lenacapavir since the district has high numbers of people who are at high risk, such as truck drivers, mobile communities at landsites, and people involved in commercial sex work, since Masaka is on high alert to neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
“The challenge we have with the oral PREP, as a preventive measure is that incidentally some people drop off on the way despite, people seeking PREP in large number, we think that the roll out LEN is going to address some of these challenges, but people are advised to use other preventive measures which are readily available if they cannot access, due to its high demand despite having limited number of doses at facility at the moment”. She added.
What you need to know about LEN
LEN is dispensed in two doses to offer protection to users, and it works for a period of six months before getting another dose. The first dose comes with 4 tabs, which are taken on two different days. The first two tabs are taken on the day the injection is given, and the remaining two tabs are taken on the following day.
LEN is not given to people who have been exposed in the last 72 hours. Another category of people who don’t get the commodity are those who are on ART. Before getting the injectable drug your tested for HIV to know your status.
LEN offers similar protection to the existing oral pep, prep, and injectable options, and is given to those who are at high risk, and all these are intended to facilitate the fight against hiv so that by 2030, the country reports no new infections.
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