Ministry Tackles HIV Surge with New Strategy

Despite a sharp rise in HIV cases across the country, the Ministry of Health is committed to providing support for those living with the virus.

Minister for Health, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, delivered a message of reassurance, highlighting the government’s readiness to assist as new data reveals concerning spikes in cases nationwide.

The Central Division has seen the highest increase, with 766 reported cases, followed by the Western Division with 292, the Northern Division with 33, and the Eastern Division with two.

A troubling surge in HIV-related deaths has sparked urgent action from the Ministry of Health, with 115 fatalities recorded between January and September of last year, leading to the declaration of a national HIV outbreak.

Dr Lalabalavu revealed that of these deaths, 34 were diagnosed in the past year alone.

In response, the ministry has introduced the HIV Surge Strategy 2024-2027, aiming to lay the groundwork for a long-term, sustainable solution to combat the epidemic.

This strategy prioritises prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and care, while aligning with the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. It emphasised reducing inequalities and ensuring services reached vulnerable populations.

This dual approach reflected immediate containment through the Outbreak Response Plan and long-term system strengthening through the surge strategy. It was essential to address the current crisis and build resilience against future challenges.

Dr Lalabalavu emphasised that the ministry could not tackle the issue alone, stressing the importance of every Fijian’s support in addressing the crisis.

He said that this was not only a health issue but could potentially become an economic and developmental issue if no action was taken.

He expressed confidence that, together, they could change the future of HIV and AIDS in Fiji and the Pacific. He urged urgency, compassion, and determination to halt the outbreak and work towards a future with zero new infections, zero babies born with HIV, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination.

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