The global trend of decreasing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases contrasts sharply with the situation in Fiji. Health and Medical Services Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu brought this to light during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Opposition MP Virendra Lal raised concerns about the increasing HIV cases in Fiji and asked the minister to detail the specific actions being taken to address the rise in drug-related offenses alongside the growing number of HIV cases among the youth.
Dr. Lalabalavu noted that Fiji is on track to become the second fastest-growing nation for HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region, trailing only the Philippines. He pointed out that the spread of injectable drug use is a significant issue in the country.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services reported 552 HIV cases recorded from January to June this year. Of these, about 15 percent were linked to injectable drug users, marking a troubling milestone for Fiji.
In response to these developments, Dr. Lalabalavu mentioned that the ministry is working to enhance its HIV response regarding drug use. Efforts are underway to improve HIV testing and treatment services throughout the country in a more decentralized fashion. The government has allocated $200,000 in the current financial year specifically aimed at responding to the HIV situation.