The United States Embassy in Maseru has handed over a second shipment of lenacapavir, a long acting HIV prevention medicine, to Lesotho’s Ministry of Health.
The handover took place on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, with United States Chargé d’Affaires Tom Hines and the ministry’s Acting Director General, Dr Lucy Mapota, receiving the consignment.
Lenacapavir was introduced in Lesotho in April and has since been distributed through health facilities across the country. The United States Embassy said thousands of people had already accessed the medicine.
The long acting pre exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, is administered twice a year and is designed to prevent HIV infection. Its introduction has been welcomed as an important development in Lesotho’s response to HIV and AIDS.afro.who+1
The latest shipment is expected to allow more people to access the prevention medicine as the country expands its programme.
The embassy also met with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to discuss how United States foreign assistance can be used more efficiently to strengthen Lesotho’s HIV and AIDS response.
The discussions focused on improving the country’s self reliance, sustainability and sovereignty in the management of its HIV and AIDS programmes.
The stakeholders identified key milestones to guide the implementation of the 364 million US dollar health memorandum of understanding between Lesotho and the United States.
The agreement is valued at approximately six billion maloti and is intended to provide a clear framework for cooperation in achieving shared health objectives.
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