Fiji declares national HIV crisis as cases surge
New HIV diagnoses rose to 2,016 in 2025, with sexual transmission and illicit drug use driving the spread of the virus.
Fiji has declared a national HIV crisis, with the virus now infecting one in every 60 adults in the Pacific nation. The government has vowed to respond urgently to the epidemic, which has seen new HIV diagnoses surge to 2,016 cases in 2025 - 16 times the level recorded in 2019. Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu formally declared the emergency, recognizing the severity of the situation and the need for a coordinated response.
The government plans to expand access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment, including rapid testing, medication for high-risk individuals, harm-reduction measures for drug users, and free treatment for those diagnosed with HIV. External support from countries like Australia, New Zealand, India, the Global Fund, and the UN is being sought to bolster the national effort.
UNAIDS welcomes Fiji's plans to introduce legislation for a needle and syringe programme, urging stronger cooperation across the Pacific and sustained international solidarity to accelerate action against the epidemic.
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- Fiji declares national HIV crisis as cases surge freemalaysiatoday.com
