A South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) study has revealed that HIV remains one of the leading causes of death in the country.

This is despite South Africa having the world's biggest antiretroviral therapy (ART) system, which treats over 3.4 million HIV-infected people with antiretroviral (ARV) medications.

However, hope may be on the horizon as a radical new drug has potential to be released if it passes all trials. Lenacapavir, an annual injection meant to protect against HIV, has completed an essential early safety study, according to experts reporting in The Lancet.

It purportedly works by preventing the virus from reproducing within the cells.

For the experiment, 40 individuals without HIV were injected with lenacapavir injections in their muscles, and they noted no side effects or health concerns. Reportedly, even after 56 weeks, the drug was still detectable in their systems.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is currently the go-to drug taken by those who want to prevent getting infected with HIV.

PrEP only protects against HIV, but not from pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections. It is offered in all primary health-care centres and hospitals across the province.

The most prevalent PrEP adverse effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, and lack of appetite. Most individuals recover from them within a few weeks.

In another unconventional protocol against HIV/AIDS, efforts underway by South African researchers to validate traditional medicines for HIV.

One of these, Product Nkabinde, was created by healer Magugu Nkabinde and his family. Early research by Professor Nceba Gqaleni and his team at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Africa Health Research Institute (Ahri) found anti-HIV and immune-boosting capabilities, prompting a patent application.

Another endeavour, spearheaded by indigenous knowledge holder David Molefi, is on a supplement for HIV/AIDS patients.

Professor David Katerere of Tshwane University of Technology is leading efforts to assure its safety and pharmacological certification. "These projects highlight the potential of traditional healer-academic collaboration," said Dr Phetole Mahasha, project manager for indigenous knowledge systems at the SAMRC.

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Hope for HIV prevention: Annual injection completes important safety trial