Changes to global funding eligibility criteria have notably impacted the international financial support for HIV programs in Fiji. Reneta Ram, the Pacific director for UNAIDS, highlighted this issue following remarks from Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, the Permanent Secretary for Health, regarding the decline in both government and international funding for HIV initiatives since 2012.
In 2012, Fiji was reclassified as an upper-middle-income country experiencing a low prevalence of HIV, which disqualified it from receiving grants from the Global Fund. Additionally, the cessation of the Pacific Regional HIV Response Fund, supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments, further restricted external financial resources.
Ms. Ram emphasized that this reduction in funding has adversely affected national HIV programs and the assistance provided by UN agencies aimed at combating the virus. Moreover, the shift in global focus from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which included specific HIV targets, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has diminished the visibility of HIV within health priorities, integrating it under a broader health agenda.
The rise in non-communicable diseases and recent health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have also redirected attention and resources away from HIV programming. In response to these challenges, UNAIDS is actively collaborating with the Fijian government and various donors to secure sustainable investment for Fiji’s HIV response.
Ms. Ram noted ongoing efforts to engage regional and bilateral donors through the UN Joint Team on HIV to explore potential funding sources. Additionally, there is a push for the government to enhance its budget allocations for HIV to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs.
UNAIDS is backing Fiji’s HIV Surge Strategy and Outbreak Response Plan aimed at increasing prevention, testing, and treatment through impactful interventions. The organization is also advocating for the integration of HIV services into universal health coverage and social protection frameworks to secure enduring financial support.
This proactive approach not only addresses the current funding shortages but also positions Fiji’s response to HIV within a broader commitment to comprehensive health initiatives, fostering hope for improved health outcomes in the future.
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