HIV cases confirmed on Rabi Island

Rabi Island in the Northern Division has confirmed HIV cases, but health officials say many residents remain reluctant to get tested.

Rabi Health Centre senior medical officer, Dr Jone Turaga warned that the actual number of cases could be higher as testing rates remain low on the island.

"We do have cases on the island which is confidential but I can always say is that we have not tested so many people are still reluctant and adamant to come and test," Dr Turaga said.

"So we cannot really say reveal numbers that we have on the island."

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and can be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during pregnancy.

Rabi Health Centre senior medical officer Dr Jone Turaga has raised concerns about an increased health risk during the festive season as population movement rises.

"This is an island, one of the biggest islands in Fiji, which has the influx and the movement of people into and out of the island fluctuates during the year, with people moving in globally," he said.

He urged young people to take precautions and know their HIV status.

"For the young and adolescents that are active on the island, please, if you're in the reproductive age group, I'm sure everyone is aware of the HIV that is rising epidemically in the country," Dr Turaga said.

"Please do turn up to the hospital for your protections like condoms that we have on the island."

Free testing is available at the Rabi Health Centre.