Fiji declares national HIV emergency as Pacific nation grapples with surge in cases
Government estimates that one in 60 adults in Fiji now living with HIV, as escalating use of methamphetamine fuels ‘epidemic’ Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency amid a spike in infections as the Pacific nation grapples with a correlating rise in methamphetamine use. The country’s health and medical services minister, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, said in a statement on social media that an…
Fiji has declared a national emergency as the number of HIV cases in the Pacific island nation soars. Health officials estimate that one in every 60 adults in Fiji is now living with HIV, a significant increase from one in 167 five years ago. The rise is believed to be linked to the growing use of methamphetamine, compounded by unsafe injecting practices and limited access to clean needles.
The emergency declaration comes after a September cabinet decision and signals a need for a coordinated response. UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima warned that the situation highlights that AIDS is not yet eradicated, emphasizing the need for countries to have ready-to-respond health and community systems.
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