Enhancing health systems to provide timely treatment and care for individuals living with HIV is essential, as is tackling the stigma and discrimination that continue to impede access to services.
This message was conveyed by Renata Ram, an HIV adviser for UNAIDS in Fiji, in response to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS), which reported 552 new HIV cases in the first half of 2024.
Ram noted that the rise in HIV cases can be attributed to several factors, including a substantial increase in testing and screening initiatives throughout the country, particularly among key populations, as indicated by the data from MOHMS.
“We must prioritize sexual health education, especially for young people and vulnerable groups, to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to protect themselves,” Ram said.
“The growing number of individuals seeking testing due to heightened awareness is encouraging, as it shows people are taking charge of their health. This rise in testing is crucial for identifying undiagnosed cases and ensuring that individuals can receive necessary care and treatment.”
She also highlighted ongoing challenges, such as limited access to consistent prevention services—including condom distribution, harm reduction for drug users, and sexual health education— that might be contributing to the increasing figures.
Ram pointed out that social and economic factors, including the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, have likely worsened vulnerabilities, especially among marginalized communities.
To respond effectively to the increasing number of HIV cases, she emphasized the need for a multifaceted strategy, noting that the MOHMS is set to launch an HIV Surge Strategy soon.
Ram reaffirmed UNAIDS Fiji’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other partners to enhance comprehensive HIV prevention efforts, which include improving access to condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and harm reduction services.