Prevention remains one of the most powerful tools in ending HIV, and advances in science continue to open new possibilities for protecting communities.

Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention option administered twice a year, could transform how military personnel protect themselves from HIV, particularly those whose demanding duties and frequent deployments can make taking a daily prevention pill difficult.

To prepare for its potential introduction, the CIDRZ  Defence Force Prevention Programme (#DFPP), with support from the Department of War (#DOW) at the U.S. Embassy, is conducting a three-day high-level training on #Lenacapavir for senior leaders of the Defence Force Medical Services (#DFMS).

The training is strengthening participants’ understanding of Lenacapavir, while exploring the clinical evidence, implementation considerations, and strategic planning needed to integrate the injectable medicine into existing HIV prevention programmes across defence health facilities.

By equipping senior DFMS leadership with the knowledge to support the rollout of injectable PrEP, the training is expected to strengthen HIV prevention services and contribute to reducing new HIV infections among Zambia’s military populations.

Through the Defence Force Prevention Programme, CIDRZ continues to work with government and international partners to advance innovative, evidence-based HIV prevention strategies that improve health outcomes for uniformed service personnel across Zambia.