The Ministry of Health and Services has announced that among the 552 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases reported this year, the youngest individual affected is less than one year old. This information was shared by Dr. Rachael Devi, Head of Family Health at the Ministry, during the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Immunisation Coverage Survey Training at the Fiji National University Campus in Tamavua.
Dr. Devi indicated that this case reflects mother-to-child transmission of the virus. She emphasized the significance of conducting more vaccination surveys, as these programmes have been instrumental in reducing infant mortality rates.
While there is a possibility of babies being born free of HIV, Dr. Devi noted an increase in instances where HIV-positive mothers have given birth to HIV-negative children. “We’ve had many mothers who came in HIV positive and delivered negative babies,” she stated.
She introduced the concept of “you equal to you,” explaining that when an HIV-positive individual adheres to their treatment and achieves an undetectable viral load, the virus cannot be transmitted to their partner. Dr. Devi underscored the importance of pregnant women getting tested early in their pregnancies.
The immunisation coverage training involves fieldwork that includes random household transactions, collaborating with the Bureau of Statistics, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The initiative is set to undergo a two-week training, followed by practical coverage implementation.
Dr. Devi encouraged expectant mothers to seek testing without fear, assuring them that many healthy babies have been born to HIV-positive mothers. She stressed the need for individuals to take proactive steps in getting tested, warning against the dangers of ignorance and refusal to seek treatment.