151 New Cases - HIV Cases in Fiji Increase

Fiji recorded 151 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) last year.

This has been the highest number of reported annual HIV infections since the first reported case in 1989.

There have been 25 HIV-related deaths including 1 paediatric death.

These statistics were shared at the quarterly HIV board meeting chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services and attended by other members from government ministries, development partners, academia, civil society organizations and HIV board patron Speaker of Parliament and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Since 1989, there has been a cumulative number of 1,417 cases of HIV reported in Fiji.

The prevalence of HIV has risen to 0.16 from 0.14 in 2020.

From the 151 reported HIV infections, 82% were from the ages of 20-49, 6% adolescents and 6% are less than 10 years of age reflecting 9 mother to child transmissions.

Fiji

Get Tested

People are encouraged to know their HIV status and get tested, as life-long, life-saving HIV treatment is available at no cost to every Fijian.

Young people especially are encouraged to visit their nearest health centres, or Sexual Reproductive Health Clinics in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa to get tested with full confidentiality and be counselled on prevention options that best suit them.

It was estimated that in 2020 that 1,300 people are living with HIV and program statistic indicate that at the end of 2021, 804 People Living with HIV know their status and 80% of them are currently on antiretroviral treatment of which 6% are virally supressed.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj