The Ministry of Health and Medical Services recorded 415 new HIV cases in Fiji last year, compared to 245 cases for the same period in 2022.
Health minister, Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu made the revelation while responding to the President, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere’s address for opening of the 2024 Session of Parliament last Monday.
Dr Atonio said the latest statistics on HIV cases are alarming and demands our attention and collective action.
“Out of these cases, 404 are adults, while 11 cases are children,” Dr Atonio said.
“Three of the children got HIV through sexual transmission, while eight children got HIV/AIDS through Mother-To-Child Transmission (MTCT),” he said.
“Of the total number of patients being diagnosed, 298 are reported to be males, 122 females and four transgenders. In addition, 31 of these cases were teenagers aged between 15 to 19 years.”
He said the increase is attributed through increase in active case finding within the MHMS using Point of Care Testing.
“Unfortunately, in 2023 alone, Fiji lost 82 lives to HIV.”
