By Akanimo Kufre
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched Long-Acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (LEN-PrEP), an injectable HIV prevention medication known as Lenacapavir, in a major effort to reduce new HIV infections and strengthen healthcare delivery in the state. The launch was performed on Monday, 15th June 2026, at the Primary Healthcare Operational Base, Barracks Road, Uyo, by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akon Eyakenyi.
Speaking at the event, Senator Eyakenyi described Lenacapavir as a groundbreaking innovation in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and stressed the need to make the intervention accessible to those who need it most. She noted that HIV remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in Africa, and that Akwa Ibom continues to record a prevalence rate above the national average. She added that the initiative aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritizes quality and accessible healthcare for residents.
The Deputy Governor commended healthcare professionals, development partners, the World Health Organization, National Agency for the Control of AIDS and other stakeholders for their support in HIV prevention and treatment efforts. She also urged residents to maintain responsible lifestyles, emphasizing that the availability of LEN-PrEP should complement existing preventive measures rather than encourage risky behaviour.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John described the launch as a turning point in HIV prevention, noting that Lenacapavir addresses adherence challenges associated with daily oral preventive medications. According to him, the injectable drug offers greater privacy, convenience, and protection, particularly for individuals who struggle to maintain daily medication routines. He stressed that while HIV has no cure, advances in medical science have transformed it into a manageable condition through effective prevention and treatment strategies.
The State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Dr. Aniekan Umoh disclosed that Akwa Ibom is among the states selected to pilot the implementation of Long-Acting Injectable Lenacapavir in Nigeria. He revealed that 42 healthcare workers from selected facilities had already undergone specialized training to ensure effective delivery, monitoring, and eventual scale-up of the intervention across the state. Nigeria began rolling out Lenacapavir earlier this year as part of a national HIV prevention strategy, with Akwa Ibom among the pilot states selected for implementation.
Representatives of NACA, the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, development partners and civil society organizations hailed the introduction of LEN-PrEP as a landmark achievement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They expressed confidence that the intervention would significantly reduce new infections, improve access to prevention services, and support efforts to achieve HIV epidemic control in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria.
