A sharp rise in drug-related HIV cases is placing growing pressure on Fiji’s hospitals, with Saint Giles Hospital in Suva treating a 14-year-old patient whose HIV is linked to drug use and Labasa Hospital reporting a surge in HIV admissions.
Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Kiran Gaikwad says drug-related admissions are increasing, with hard drugs like meth driving HIV transmission through shared syringes. He stresses the urgent need for a dedicated long-term rehabilitation facility to manage the rise in substance use disorders, arguing that the current hospital setting is not equipped for extended addiction treatment. “Drug-related cases are increasing in a very worrying amount, and not only drug-related cases, but drug-related HIV is also increasing. Because of hard drugs like meth, which are usually injected into the bloodstream through syringes that people share among themselves, this is the biggest concern,” he said.
Labasa Hospital is also grappling with a surge in HIV cases. Acting Medical Superintendent Dr. Mikaele Mua reported that in one recent week, the hospital admitted an HIV-positive patient daily, many with complications. He warned that many others may be living with the virus undiagnosed and not seeking treatment. “In our ward admissions, we are seeing a lot of HIV cases. I think last month, during one week, we were seeing one a day. And that’s quite alarming for the North,” he noted.
The rise in HIV among drug users underscores the urgent need for coordinated prevention, early detection and rehabilitation services across the country. Health officials have highlighted that the trend extends beyond individual cases to a broader public-health emergency, with broader data indicating that youth are particularly affected. Reports in Fiji have noted dozens of young people testing HIV-positive, including a 14-year-old, and have highlighted practices such as needle sharing and a disturbing trend known as bluetoothing, where one person injects drugs and passes contaminated blood to others.
Context from related data points suggests the scale of the crisis: 57 young people admitted to Saint Giles as HIV-positive in recent periods, including a 14-year-old. As of September, about 1.7 percent of a surveyed group of 3,519 young Fijians were involved in drug-related incidents, while education and health authorities recorded 3,627 drug-related incidents in schools in 2023—a roughly 40 percent increase since 2018. These figures point to risks that extend into classrooms and communities and highlight the need for rapid, comprehensive action.
What this means going forward
– Urgent expansion of drug-rehabilitation services is critical to reduce hospital readmissions and support long-term recovery.
– Harm-reduction measures, including needle-syringe programs and accessible HIV testing and counseling, should be integrated with treatment.
– School-based prevention, early intervention and family support programs are essential to curb youth drug use and associated health risks.
– Strong government-community collaboration will be key to turning trends around and protecting Fiji’s youth.
Additional value for readers and analysis
– The situation demonstrates the interconnected nature of mental health, substance use, and infectious diseases, underscoring the need for a coordinated, multi-agency response.
– Transparent data sharing across health, education and justice sectors can improve targeting of prevention and treatment resources.
– Interim measures, such as expanding harm-reduction services and increasing access to testing and counseling, are crucial while longer-term rehab facilities are developed.
Hopeful note
With expanded rehabilitation capacity, stronger prevention efforts in schools, and robust community engagement, Fiji can bend the curve on youth drug use and HIV transmission, protecting the health and futures of its young people.
Commentary
The crisis reflects systemic gaps in treatment and prevention that require rapid, sustained action across health, education and community sectors. Prioritizing a dedicated rehab facility, integrating harm-reduction alongside treatment, and boosting youth-focused prevention programs can create a framework not only to treat current cases but to reduce new infections over time. A coordinated, compassionate response offers real hope for the next generation.
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