Fiji is currently confronting a significant rise in HIV infections, particularly among adolescents aged 10 to 19, highlighting an urgent public health crisis. This alarming trend was presented by Dr. Darshika Balak, Medical Officer in Charge at the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic, during the Fiji Medical Association conference in Suva. The statistics are striking: HIV cases in this age group skyrocketed from just six in 2022 to over 100 within the first nine months of the previous year, amounting to a 45-fold increase.
The data reveals that most infections among young males stem from drug use, particularly through needle sharing, while young females have been infected via both injecting drug use and sexual transmission linked to partners who are drug users. Dr. Balak noted that this transmission strategy has unfortunately broadened the HIV incidence into the heterosexual population, which has also seen an increase in pediatric cases.
Highlighting the need for change, Dr. Balak emphasized the importance of community-led prevention efforts. She advocates for harm reduction strategies, including needle syringe programs, to combat the rise of HIV among high-risk groups such as adolescents and drug users. Current data from national HIV clinics indicate a persistent rise in infections, with over 3,000 cases recorded since the first identification of HIV in Fiji in 1989. This situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with annual cases exceeding 100, yet close to half the diagnosed individuals are not receiving necessary care, restricting access to essential antiretroviral treatments.
The outbreak has primarily affected the Central and Eastern Divisions, though cases in the Western and Northern areas are also emerging. Alarmingly, approximately 70 percent of new infections are among males, and the overlap of transmission routes complicates efforts to control the situation. Dr. Balak also pointed out that despite the dire circumstances, about half of those diagnosed remain lost to follow-up, with many unknowingly transmitting the virus due to a lack of treatment.
As new projections estimate around 1,600 additional HIV cases in Fiji by the end of 2024, improved data collection, enhanced testing access, and comprehensive prevention strategies are deemed critical. Only 35 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji are currently receiving treatment, significantly below the global target necessary for effective management of the virus.
Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. Health officials are seeking to mobilize community support and create effective education and outreach initiatives. Strategic partnerships and grassroots efforts can strengthen public health responses, emphasizing that while the stats reflect a troubling reality, united action can pave the way for a healthier future for Fiji’s youth and vulnerable populations.
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