What could end HIV and AIDS as a public health threat? While there is still no vaccine or cure, long-acting tools like Lenacapavir, the recently approved twice-yearly HIV prevention shot, could significantly reduce new infections. Many health experts believe this may get us toward the end of HIV as an epidemic. 

On today’s show, reporter Leah Kahunde Ndung’u examines what the Lenacapavir rollout will mean for Uganda, which was one of two Lenacapavir trial countries in Africa. She speaks with the Uganda trial’s principal investigator Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiweewa and HEPS Uganda Executive Director Kenneth Mwehonge, among others. 

Then, host Henry Bonsu interviews Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, founder and director of ICAP at Columbia University, Executive Vice President overseeing Columbia Global, and MacArthur genius fellow. Prof. El-Sadr has overseen HIV treatment programs in more than 40 countries. She shares her innovative approach to service delivery. 

The Threshold is made possible in part through funding from the Gates Foundation.

Guests and organizations:

Kenneth Mwehonge, Executive Director of ⁠⁠HEPS Uganda⁠⁠

Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, Director of Research for the Makerere University and Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration (MU-JHU)