The Ministry of Health and Services has reported that this year, there have been 552 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with the youngest individual infected being less than one year old. This information was shared by Dr. Rachael Devi, the Head of Family Health at the Ministry, during the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Immunisation Coverage Survey Training at the Fiji National University Campus in Tamavua.
Dr. Devi indicated that the primary mode of transmission in this case was from mother to child. She emphasized the importance of conducting more vaccination surveys, as immunization has significantly contributed to reducing mortality rates among young children. While acknowledging the risks, she stated that there is an increasing possibility for babies to be born HIV-free.
“We’ve had many mothers who were HIV positive give birth to negative babies,” Dr. Devi noted. She explained the concept of “you equal to you,” which implies that if an HIV-positive individual is on treatment and maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit the virus to their partner.
The doctor urged mothers to seek testing during pregnancy and attend check-ups. She mentioned that the immunization coverage training will involve fieldwork, including random household surveys in collaboration with the Bureau of Statistics, UNICEF, and WHO. The initiative will last two weeks and aim to improve coverage on the ground.
Dr. Devi reassured mothers not to be afraid of testing, citing numerous healthy births among tested individuals. She stressed the importance of coming forward for tests, as ignorance and refusal for treatment could lead to negative outcomes. “Get tested and know your results,” she encouraged.