NEW HEALTH STRATEGY BOOSTS FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND CERVICAL CANCER IN NELSON MANDELA BAY
Published: October 16, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
The fight against cervical cancer and the spread of HIV has received a major boost following the official launch of the Lenacapavir HIV prevention and Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy in KwaNoxolo, Nelson Mandela Bay.
The strategy, launched by Eastern Cape MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, will be implemented across the province, with the potential to save lives through improved access to HIV prevention services and the prevention, early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
Speaking at the event, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Health, Councillor Thsonono Buyeye, said a critical part of the strategy was the effective execution of the implementation plan to ensure that the intended benefits reached communities.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention medication administered as an injection twice a year, approximately six months apart, by a healthcare provider. It provides an additional prevention option for people who may be at risk of HIV infection and forms part of South Africa's broader combination HIV prevention programme. It is important to note that Lenacapavir is a prevention medication and not a vaccine or a treatment for people living with HIV. Residents should consult healthcare professionals to establish their eligibility and access the appropriate prevention services. Guidance confirms that Lenacapavir is being offered alongside other HIV prevention options,
including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
MMC Buyeye committed the Municipality to working closely with the provincial government to turn this groundbreaking strategy into a reality, where lives will be saved and a healthier Nelson Mandela Bay citizenry can be achieved.
However, Buyeye cautioned that the introduction of these initiatives does not negate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking appropriate measures to prevent HIV infection. He encouraged residents to make informed decisions about their health, access HIV testing and counselling services, and consult healthcare professionals about available prevention options.
He also welcomed the focus on women's health through the Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy, emphasising the importance of prevention, regular screening and early intervention.
"For all these deliverables within the strategy to succeed, it is important that residents go for regular health check-ups and screening to ensure that potential health problems are detected early," said MMC Buyeye.
The National Department of Health's Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. Key interventions include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for eligible girls, cervical cancer screening for women, and timely treatment for those diagnosed with precancerous changes or cervical cancer.
Residents are encouraged to make use of available public healthcare services for screening and to seek medical advice even when they do not have symptoms. HPV vaccination is an important preventive measure, while screening helps identify cervical changes before they develop into cancer. Women living with HIV should pay particular attention to recommended screening and follow-up, as they face a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, said the Municipality would use intergovernmental relations and the District Development Model to support the successful implementation of the strategy and ensure that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay benefited from the initiatives.
"We commit to supporting the Department of Health as it rolls out this strategy. For it to succeed, it is important that we ensure our clinics function properly through efficient municipal services," said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The Municipality's support will include continued cooperation with the provincial government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen local health outcomes. Reliable municipal services, including water, sanitation, waste management and a clean public environment, remain important in creating conditions that support effective healthcare delivery.
The Municipality calls on residents to take responsibility for their health by using available healthcare services, participating in prevention and screening programmes, and following the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.
Through cooperation between government, healthcare workers, communities and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to strengthen prevention, promote early detection and improve health outcomes across Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape.
Top stories
WAR ON POTHOLES: OVER 5,900 FIXES COMPLETED AS ‘FILL UP THE BAY’ CAMPAIGN TRANSFORMS METRO ROADS October 09, 2026
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s "Fill Up the Bay" pothole repair campaign is delivering visible improvements to road safety and drivability, with 5,944 potholes successfully repaired across the Metro.
R33.3 MILLION BREAKS GROUND ON 153 HOMES AS NELSON MANDELA BAY CONFRONTS A 100 000 HOUSE BACKLOG October 07, 2026
Joe Slovo and KwaNobuhle developments advance the Municipality’s constitutional duty to turn the right of access to adequate housing into lived reality, even as need continues to far outstrip available funding