[Watch] Yvette Raphael Champions Community-Led Science on SABC News' It’s Topical

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlIkA4sdXk

APHA director and co-founder, Yvette Raphael, recently appeared on SABC News’ It’s Topical to discuss a massive breakthrough in HIV prevention: Lenacapavir (Lenacap).

As South Africa rolls out the first phase of this twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Yvette took the stage alongside the National Department of Health to represent the voices of advocates, civil society, and the young people who need it most.

When asked what makes Lenacapavir different, Yvette’s answer cut straight to the core of what APHA stands for: the power of the community.

"The study as well as the research started with us. It started with the community... When the results came that it was 100% effective for women and girls in the PURPOSE 1 trial, it was more than a celebration - it was a turning tide to talk about the role that community plays in science. We own this product." Yvette Raphael

For young women and adolescent girls, switching from a daily oral pill to an injection given just twice a year is a complete game-changer.

Pushing for Equity and Accessibility

While the energy on the ground is high, Yvette didn't shy away from pointing out the hurdles ahead. Phase 1 of the rollout targets high-burden districts across six provinces, but Yvette pushed back firmly against these regional limitations:

"Advocates can never be happy when there is not equality and equity. The fact is that every single South African deserves to have Lenacapavir accessible if they want to prevent themselves from HIV... we need to prioritise every single province in this country."

APHA is actively working with civil society partners to push the government to fast-track Phase 2 so that rural and marginalised communities are not left behind while the global community waits for affordable generic versions.

Honouring Youth Autonomy

Yvette also highlighted the critical need to strip away the "over-medicalisation" of HIV prevention. For young people to truly embrace Lenacapavir, healthcare settings need to respect their autonomy rather than bogging them down with clinical interrogation or judgment.

Through grassroots efforts, APHA and partners have already reached over 40,000 young people with community-led education. But as Yvette emphasised on the program, civil society needs more robust government backing to scale these vital conversations into every town and village across the country.

Lenacapavir isn't a silver bullet on its own, but it is a monumental leap forward. We are incredibly proud of Yvette for ensuring that this scientific marvel stays firmly grounded in human rights, community ownership, and equity.

Watch the full discussion on the SABC Youtube channel.