00:00Kenya launched the administration of the initial dose of a revolutionary HIV prevention drug in a Nairobi slum on Thursday.
00:08Lena Kapavi, which is taken twice a year, has proven to lower the risk of HIV transmission by more than
00:1499.9%,
00:15but it is considered a chemical drug instead of a vaccine because it does not activate the immune system.
00:24Taking Lena Kapavi, I feel good. At first, when it was mentioned, we didn't think it would be a reality.
00:31But today, it is a very exciting day. It feels like a holiday to me.
00:37I have removed myself from the issue of taking drugs on a daily basis.
00:43Kenya was selected last year as one of the nine African countries to implement Lena Kapavi,
00:49which has been available in South Africa, Swatini and Zambia since last December.
00:54The qualification is high risk.
00:58By high risk, I mean you are engaging in a behavior that could put you into infection.
01:06You can acquire the infection.
01:08So you must be HIV negative.
01:12Having been tested today HIV negative, then you must be over 15 years.
01:18An estimated 1.3 million people in Kenya are living with HIV,
01:23with health officials reporting that young people aged 15 to 24 carry the heaviest burden of new infections.
01:30Today is not just a launch, but today is a moment of hope for thousands of Kenyan families.
02:03This launch takes place while African countries contend with cuts to United States.
02:09which have influenced HIV AIDS programs across the continent.
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