The Ministry of Health and Services has revealed that among the 552 reported cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) this year, the youngest individual diagnosed is under one year old. This information was shared by Dr. Rachael Devi, the Head of Family Health, during the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Immunisation Coverage Survey Training at the Fiji National University (FNU) Campus in Tamavua.
Dr. Devi indicated that the transmission of HIV primarily occurs from mother to child. She underscored the importance of conducting more immunisation vaccination surveys, highlighting that these efforts have significantly reduced childhood mortality rates.
Dr. Devi noted that despite the risks, it is possible for babies to be born HIV-negative. “We’ve had numerous mothers who were HIV positive give birth to healthy, negative babies,” she noted. She referenced the concept of “you equal to you,” which suggests that individuals with HIV who receive treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load pose no risk of transmission to their partners.
She urged mothers to seek testing during their pregnancies to improve outcomes. “This immunisation coverage training will be deployed in the field, randomly surveying households. We are collaborating with the Bureau of Statistics, UNICEF, and WHO for a two-week training initiative,” Dr. Devi explained.
She called on mothers to overcome any fears and get tested, assuring that many babies are born healthy: “We need people to come forward for testing. We’ve lost patients due to ignorance and those who refuse treatment. Get tested and learn your status,” she said.