Fiji’s HIV Crisis: A Growing Concern for the Government

The Fijian government is facing mounting pressure to declare an HIV outbreak, following a significant increase in cases across the country. The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) has called on the government to take immediate action to address the crisis, citing alarming rises in infections and gaps in testing, treatment, and prevention.

The Alarming Rise of HIV Cases

According to Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, FMA president, the country’s HIV cases have risen by 241 percent between 2010 and 2023, with over 550 new cases reported in the first six months of this year alone. This represents a 33 percent increase compared to 2023.

The increase in infections is made worse by gaps in testing, treatment, and prevention, and “represents a serious public health threat,” Dr. Vakamocea stated.

Gaps in Healthcare System

The FMA has identified several areas where the healthcare system is falling short in addressing the HIV crisis. The primary mode of transmission for HIV in Fiji is sexual transmission, but cases linked to injectable drug use are also on the rise.

“Sexual transmission is known to be the primary mode of transmission for HIV in the country, but cases where the disease is transmitted through injectable drug use – linked to the hard drug crisis – are also on the rise,” Dr. Vakamocea said.

A Call to Action

The FMA is urging the Health Ministry to take three main actions: declare an HIV outbreak, expand targeted testing, prevention, and treatment efforts, and invest in better data collection, analysis, and reporting systems.

“We believe that a united, co-ordinated, and evidence-based response is critical to curbing the HIV epidemic and preventing further loss of life,” Dr. Vakamocea said.

Support for the Health Ministry

The FMA is ready to support the Health Ministry in its efforts to address the HIV crisis.

“We urge MHMS to act decisively and prioritize the implementation of the Fiji HIV and Illicit Drug Surge Strategy 2024-2026 as an immediate step toward epidemic control,” Dr. Vakamocea added.

The Time to Act is Now

The FMA’s call to action highlights the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to address the HIV crisis in Fiji.

“The time to act is now,” Dr. Vakamocea said, emphasizing the importance of a unified and coordinated response to curb the epidemic and prevent further loss of life.

Conclusion

Fiji’s HIV crisis is a growing concern that requires immediate attention from the government. The FMA’s call for action highlights the need for a comprehensive and evidence-based response to address the crisis. With over 550 new cases reported in the first six months of this year, it is clear that the time to act is now.