At least one baby dying each month from HIV, minister warns

At least one baby died every month from HIV in Fiji in 2025 as the country’s growing HIV crisis increasingly affects newborns, Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has revealed.

Speaking in parliament this morning, Dr Lalabalavu said the rise in infections among pregnant women showed the epidemic was spreading beyond its initial outbreak groups and into the wider community.

“National antenatal HIV prevalence is now estimated at 3.1%, and at CWM it has risen sharply to 3.7% in 2025.”

He said the numbers highlighted the serious risks facing newborns.

“Last year, we estimate that 59 babies were born with HIV, up from 31 cases in 2024, on average at least 1 baby died of HIV each month in 2025.”

The minister warned that the country must urgently strengthen its response to the epidemic.

“In light of this, Government action must now match the urgency of the epidemic.”

Adressing the issue

To address the growing crisis, the minister called for a strengthened national response involving multiple sectors of society.

“First, I seek Parliament’s support for a high-level, multi-sector national HIV, STI and BBV response, working in close collaboration with communities, civil society and technical partners, and operationalised through the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce (N-HOCRT).”

He said stronger mobilisation across government agencies would be required as the epidemic spreads beyond initial groups.

“The Taskforce model is working because it brings together the right technical expertise and community reach; however, the epidemic is now affecting the wider community and requires stronger whole-of-Government mobilisation across the social drivers of infection.”

Dr Lalabalavu also called for an emergency operational approach to speed up the national response.

“Second, I request that Government enable an emergency response footing for this national effort, so that we can remove bottlenecks and accelerate approvals for recruitment, procurement, infrastructure, and the enabling legal instruments required to expand services quickly and safely.”

“Put simply, we need to move from planning and coordination to visible, sustained delivery on the ground in every division.”

The minister also urged Parliament to commit to a long-term response.

“Third, and most importantly, I am asking Parliament to support a minimum five-year national commitment to this response. This is not a short campaign; it is a multi-year national recovery effort.”

He said a dedicated project management structure would help drive implementation.

“I therefore seek support to establish a dedicated SRH and HIV Project Management Unit (PMU) to drive implementation, performance management and field delivery under the strategic direction of the N-HOCRT—so that plans translate into sustained action, year after year.”

Dr Lalabalavu stressed that tackling HIV must remain above politics.

“HIV does not recognise political lines. The country needs an apolitical, united stance that will hold through this year’s election and beyond, so the response remains stable, funded and accountable over the full five-year period required to turn the epidemic around.”

“With Parliament’s support—and with the continued leadership of Cabinet—Fiji can still reverse this trajectory, protect mothers and babies, and restore national health security.”