New data released by health authorities shows that the bulk of new HIV infections in Fiji are concentrated among young and economically active people, with 68 percent of last year’s cases occurring in those aged 15 to 40. Officials reported more than 2,000 new HIV infections nationwide in the last 12 months, prompting renewed calls for routine testing and stronger efforts to tackle stigma that is keeping many from coming forward.
Dr Priya Kaur, the country lead for HIV Vertical Transmission Elimination, said the figures underline how the epidemic is affecting the nation's breadwinners and younger population. “They are our young, productive population, they are probably breadwinners of their families,” she said, describing the trend as especially worrying because late diagnosis and untreated infections can have far-reaching social and economic consequences.
Dr Kaur highlighted stigma and discrimination as the principal barriers deterring people from seeking testing and early diagnosis. “We have so much stigma and discrimination in our country. People will not turn up and tell you their risky behaviours,” she said, adding that fear of what others might think continues to keep many young people away from clinics. According to Dr Kaur, this reluctance persists even where services are offered free of charge.
As the latest development in the national response to HIV, health authorities are urging routine screening for sexually active individuals, particularly those in the 15–40 age bracket. Dr Kaur said routine tests are crucial even when people feel well: “We only go to the hospital when we are sick, we should go when we are still well so that we can know our wellness state.” She stressed that testing without symptoms can reduce late diagnosis and help control further spread of the virus.
Dr Kaur also reminded the public that treatment is available and encouraged widespread uptake of testing services. “I encourage everybody in this country who is sexually active to go and get an HIV test done because there is treatment available,” she said. Her comments come as health services seek to expand outreach and normalize testing to reach groups that might otherwise avoid clinics.
The announcement adds urgency to ongoing public-health conversations about prevention, early detection and community education. While the new statistics do not detail the breakdown by gender, location or mode of transmission, the concentration in the 15–40 age group signals a need for targeted messaging, youth-friendly services and efforts to reduce the shame and discrimination surrounding HIV.
Health authorities have not yet released an action plan linked directly to the new figures, but Dr Kaur’s appeal for routine screening and removal of barriers to care indicates the likely focus of forthcoming interventions: greater access to testing, clearer public information on confidentiality and treatment, and community-level work to change attitudes that deter people from seeking help.
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