HIV testing should not intimidate anyone, as the outcome can be rewarding, says Jokapeci Tuberi, who has been living with HIV for over 20 years.
Stakeholders have gathered for a two-day workshop on the Prevention of HIV and AIDS in Fiji at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva.
Civil society organizations and stakeholders are attending the workshop focused on HIV awareness.
Sanaila Suguturaga from the Ministry of Education emphasized that while schools play a crucial role in educating children about HIV, the responsibility lies with everyone.
“We need assistance from NGOs, government leaders, community leaders, parents, and everyone. Awareness is very important. This issue has been prevalent for a long time, but it is not discussed often,” Suguturaga stated.
“Teenage pregnancy has been a persistent issue, but the matter of blood sharing is particularly concerning,” he added.
Jokapeci Tuberi from the Fiji Network for People Living with HIV highlighted the benefits of testing.
“As someone living with HIV, I encourage people to come forward for testing. There are treatments available for those who test positive,” Tuberi said.
The annual number of new HIV cases has risen significantly from 82 in 2017 to 415 last year, with projections suggesting the numbers could double again this year.
Data from UNAIDS, released late last year, placed Fiji second in the Asia-Pacific region for the fastest-growing HIV infections. Fiji also recorded the highest HIV-related deaths in the region in 2022, with 46 deaths.