HIV outbreak cannot be solved by healthcare alone, doctors forum told

The escalating HIV outbreak and drug crisis in Fiji can no longer be treated as healthcare issues alone and now require a coordinated national response, according to the Fiji Medical Association (FMA).

Speaking during a mini conference at the Ramada Hotel in Labasa last Saturday, FMA acting president Dr Ronal Kumar said the HIV infection crisis remained one of the country’s most pressing public health concerns, compounded by the widespread drug problem.

He warned that the situation had outgrown the capacity of the health sector to manage on its own.

“This is not an issue that healthcare alone can solve,” Dr Kumar said.

“It requires a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach involving healthcare, law enforcement, education, social welfare, communities, faith-based organisations and policymakers working together to address both substance abuse and HIV transmission in a coordinated and compassionate manner.”

He said the current drug problem had reached catastrophic levels, with consequences that would be felt for years to come.

“When we continue trying to rehabilitate those with severe drug dependency and deal with the mental health consequences of prolonged drug use, St Giles Hospital is already struggling to cope with current cases,” he said.

Mr Kumar also highlighted the pressure that decisions affecting overtime payments had placed on nurses and allied health workers.

He said healthcare was unique because hospitals could never close, regardless of the circumstances.

“Not when it’s raining, not during a storm, not during a major disaster and not even during COVID-19,” he said.

“Hospitals, regardless of the situation, need to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“There are people working overtime who need to feed their families. A day in lieu does not feed a family and certainly does not compensate for the extra hours someone else has to work to cover those in-lieu hours.”

The Fiji Medical Association is the only legislated body representing doctors in Fiji. Its current membership stands at 452.

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