St Giles Hospital in Suva is grappling with mounting pressure as a spike in drug-related psychiatric admissions coincides with rising HIV cases among Fiji’s youth. A 14-year-old patient has been admitted with HIV linked to drug use, and hospital officials warn that the problem extends beyond individual cases to a broader public-health emergency.
Acting Medical Superintendent Dr. Kiran Gaikwad says drug-related admissions are increasing, with methamphetamine use a key driver. He explains that injections with shared syringes and risky practices such as bluetoothing—where one person injects drugs, withdraws blood, and passes it to another—are fueling the spread of HIV among young users. Dr. Gaikwad notes that while the hospital’s core mission is treating mental illness, it is increasingly required to manage complications from substance abuse, underscoring an urgent need for dedicated long-term rehab services. “Substance use disorder is a specific disorder which needs to be specially cared for and rehabilitation to be done,” he says, adding that a typical addiction rehabilitation period is about six months, which isn’t feasible within the hospital setting. He stresses the plan to establish a dedicated rehabilitation center as soon as possible.
The trend is echoed at Labasa Hospital, where Acting Medical Superintendent Dr. Mikaele Mua confirms a noticeable uptick in new HIV cases among youth presenting with drug-related complications. He notes that the hospital is typically treating patients who already show HIV-related health issues, suggesting many others may be living with the virus without symptoms or seeking care.
Context from other recent data points a broader crisis: health officials have highlighted a surge in HIV-positive youths tied to drug use, with several reports indicating that 57 young people tested HIV-positive in recent periods, including a 14-year-old. Education and health authorities point to school data showing thousands of drug-related incidents, including 3,627 cases in 2023—a 40 percent increase since 2018—with about 1.7 percent of a surveyed group of 3,519 students involved in drug-related incidents as of September. These figures imply the scale of risk extends beyond hospital doors into classrooms and communities.
Experts reiterate that the current lack of a dedicated rehabilitation facility for substance use disorders places a heavy burden on psychiatric hospitals. Harm-reduction approaches, including needle-syringe programs, expanded testing, counseling, and school-based prevention, are seen as essential components alongside treatment capacity expansion. There is growing support for fast-tracking rehab infrastructure across Fiji, with statements from health officials and advocacy groups calling the issue a national emergency.
A hopeful thread runs through the reporting: government and community leaders are discussing and planning rehabilitation facilities, and external organizations have begun partnering on awareness and prevention efforts. The consensus is that expanding treatment capacity, improving prevention in schools and communities, and offering robust support to families can slow and eventually reverse these troubling trends.
What this means going forward
– Urgent expansion of drug-rehabilitation services is critical to reduce hospital readmissions and manage 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.
– Community and government collaboration will be key to turning the current trajectory toward safer outcomes for Fiji’s youth.
Additional comments and value for readers
– The situation highlights 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.
– Policymakers should consider immediate interim measures while long-term rehab facilities are developed, to reduce harm and protect vulnerable youths.
In a positive light, with strengthened rehab capacity, expanded 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.
Leave a comment