17 children under 15 lost to HIV in 2025

Seventeen children aged under 15 died from HIV-related causes in Fiji last year, raising concerns about gaps in preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring early treatment for infected children. 

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services recorded 117 HIV-related deaths in 2025, with children accounting for 14.5 per cent of the total.

Of the 117 people died from HIV-related causes during the year, 67 individuals were diagnosed and died within the same year. 

The findings come as Fiji recorded a record 2,016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025.

Among them were 67 paediatric cases, including 56 linked to mother-to-child transmission, up sharply from 32 such cases in 2024. 

The report said the deaths underscored ongoing challenges in prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. 

Health experts consider mother-to-child transmission largely preventable when pregnant women are tested early and receive antiretroviral treatment.

The report also highlighted wider concerns in Fiji’s HIV response, with 845 newly diagnosed people not enrolled in care and treatment during the year. 

The Ministry said strengthening early testing, treatment access and retention in care would be critical to reducing HIV-related deaths and preventing new infections among children.