Fiji declares national HIV emergency and extends testing program as cases surge
The government said it was finding more cases because its testing efforts are reaching more people. It will provide more free testing, clean needles for drug users and free treatment for people who test positive
Fiji has declared a national emergency due to a surge in HIV cases, with one in every 60 adults estimated to be living with the virus. The 12-fold increase in new infections over the past 15 years, according to UNAIDS, has pushed the numbers up to about 9,000 people in the country of less than a million inhabitants. Only 39 percent of patients are aware of their HIV status and just 22 percent are receiving antiretroviral treatment.
The government, led by Health Minister Antonio Lalabalavu, is treating the situation as a crisis and ramping up testing and treatment efforts. They are providing more free testing, clean needles for drug users, and free treatment for those who test positive.
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