The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported six cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission this year. Dr. Rachel Devi, the Head of Family Health, stated that a total of 13 such cases have been documented in 2023.
Dr. Devi emphasized the importance of treatment in preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children. She explained that if a pregnant woman who is HIV positive engages in antiretroviral therapy, she can significantly reduce the risk of passing the virus to her child, resulting in a negative test outcome for the newborn. Following birth, additional testing is conducted to ensure the child remains free from the virus.
Comparatively, the number of mother-to-child transmission cases this year is similar to those from the previous year, with a slight decrease. The Ministry is focused on ensuring that every pregnant woman accessing healthcare services is tested for HIV, is aware of her status, and receives the necessary treatment to mitigate the transmission risk.
Dr. Devi also noted a correlation between HIV transmission and behaviors such as sharing needles, referred to as “bluetoothing.” She highlighted the need for individuals who engage in injectable drug use to recognize the associated risks of spreading HIV in Fiji.
She urged HIV-positive mothers to seek early testing and initiate antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible to prevent transmission to their infants. By reducing the mother’s viral load, not only does it benefit the mother’s health, but it also significantly lowers the chances of transmission during childbirth.
Data from the Ministry indicates that from January to June, there were 552 new HIV cases reported, with 85 individuals identifying themselves as users of injectable drugs.