Two Opposition MPs have urged the Government to take decisive action in addressing the escalating issues of HIV and drug use among the youth. Ketan Lal emphasized that the challenges facing young people are becoming increasingly urgent, making it essential to implement strong measures to safeguard future generations.
Mr. Lal highlighted concerns regarding the distribution of explicit images of young girls online, stating, “I have brought these issues to the attention of the police and the responsible minister, urging immediate intervention.” However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of significant action to combat this problem. He proposed the prohibition of applications like Telegram that contribute to the spread of harmful content, arguing that while this is a serious decision, it is necessary for protecting the youth from predatory behaviors enabled by such platforms.
“We owe it to our young people to create a safe and supportive environment where they can grow without the threat of having their privacy violated in such a terrible way. As leaders, we must ensure that our laws are robust enough to protect them. This isn’t just about banning an app; it is about securing the future of our nation and upholding the rights of our citizens,” he said, urging the government to take immediate steps to ban Telegram and similar platforms.
Independent MP Jone Usamate voiced his alarm over the rising HIV cases in Fiji, calling it a “wake-up call” that requires immediate attention. He was reacting to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, which indicated a 33 percent increase in HIV cases compared to 2023, with 85 out of 552 cases in the first half of the year linked to injectable drug use.
“The sharing of needles among drug users is significantly contributing to the spread of HIV, particularly affecting our youth,” Mr. Usamate noted. He argued for the need for proactive measures beyond government initiatives, suggesting that all communities, including religious organizations, families, and schools, should be involved in addressing the crisis.
He called for the establishment of task forces involving different ministries, civil society organizations, and religious groups to tackle injectable drug use effectively. “We need a hands-on approach to engage young people in productive activities that will keep them away from drugs and unprotected sexual encounters, which can lead to HIV transmission,” he said.
Mr. Usamate also recommended increased investment in media campaigns to educate families about these issues and encourage them to address them at home. “We need a coordinated effort; it is vital that we unite as a nation to fight this scourge,” he urged.
Inquiries about the matter were directed to Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, the permanent secretary for the Health Ministry, but no response was received prior to the publication deadline.