Fiji Declares HIV a National Crisis
Officials said 2,016 people were diagnosed in 2025 as the government expands free testing, prevention medicine and harm-reduction services.
- On Tuesday, Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu declared a national HIV emergency in Fiji, citing the 'seriousness of the epidemic' after new diagnoses climbed 27% last year.
- Rising intravenous drug use, exacerbated by Fiji's role as a transit hub for illicit smuggling routes, has driven the surge; injecting drugs account for over 42% of cases.
- One in 60 Fijian adults now lives with HIV, while the epidemic has reached newborns; last year, 59 babies acquired the virus from their mothers, with 18 dying before their first birthday.
- The government pledged a 'whole-of-government response' including a cabinet-led needle and syringe programme to reduce transmission risks, with Lalabalavu announcing rapid expansion of testing and prevention services.
- UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima called the surge 'one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally,' describing it as a 'stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over.
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134 Articles
In the Pacific islands of Fiji, the government estimates that one in 60 adults is living with HIV. This is believed to be fueled by the escalating use of methamphetamine. The post Fiji Islands: In a state of emergency for HIV – Rapid increase in cases appeared first on in.gr.
Sydney Morning Herald
Fiji declares HIV national emergency
Fiji has declared a national health emergency as HIV case numbers surge.
THE Fijian government has declared a state of emergency over a sharp rise in the number of people infected with HIV. One in 60 adults is now living with the virus, prompting an urgent government response and support from UNAIDS.
Fiji declares national crisis over rising HIV cases
Fiji has declared a national crisis over a recent rise in HIV cases, adopting plans to allocate more health resources toward stopping the disease’s transmission.Antonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s minister for health and medical services, declared HIV a national emergency on Tuesday. The nation previously declared an HIV outbreak in January 2025.In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses, including 59 babies born with HIV, its government announced in…
Fiji declares national HIV emergency and extends testing programme as cases surge
TOKYO (AP) — Fiji has declared an HIV national emergency after data showed one in 60 people in the South Pacific island nation is now estimated to have the virus. The country says it is boosting testing and treatment efforts to fight a surge in new infections, which have increased 12-fold over the last 15 years, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and Aids (UNAIDS).
Fiji declares HIV a national crisis as diagnoses surge | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WELLINGTON >> Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after new diagnoses climbed 27% last year, intensifying concern that an epidemic once concentrated among people who inject drugs is spreading more widely through the Pacific island nation.
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