Fiji records 1,700 new HIV infections annually: UNAIDS

Fiji needs to strengthen its HIV response as UNAIDS statistics show about 1700 new infections are recorded annually, with new infections increasing 12-fold and AIDS-related deaths 13-fold since 2010.

UNAIDS director of Regional Support Teams for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Eamonn Murphy said this during the inaugural Pacific HIV Symposium 2026 at Denarau, Nadi, yesterday.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services recorded 2016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025 — the highest annual figure since national surveillance began — compared with 1583 in 2024.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has called for nationwide prevention efforts.

“We need everyone, including the vanua, which is an integral part of our effort to do this,” Dr Lalabalavu said.

“When the numbers keep on increasing, our efforts should also scale up in terms of treatment, testing and awareness,” he said.

Chief guest President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said HIV was affecting communities and should be addressed as a human rights issue, with the vanua playing a leading role.

“It is about dignity. It is about the strength of our health system and the resilience of our community,” he said.

Researcher Patrick Tamaicakai said traditional leadership could play an important role in breaking the culture of silence and stigma surrounding HIV in iTaukei communities.