FIJI is experiencing a dramatic and unprecedented surge in HIV cases, prompting local and international health authorities to warn that the country is on the brink of a full-blown HIV epidemic.
In January 2025, Fiji officially declared an HIV outbreak after reporting 1093 new cases from January to September 2024 — three times the number recorded in the same period in 2023, and a nine-fold increase over five years.
National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response chairperson Dr Jason Mitchell said there was a need for an urgent response to address the epidemic.
“Fiji has quickly progressed from a very low prevalence epidemic to one that is concentrated, and now it is heading towards a generalised epidemic,” Dr Mitchell said.
“We haven’t reached there yet, but we are at the door of the generalised epidemic, which means that our response through the ministry needs to be stepped up.
“It needs to be an urgent response.
“We are grateful for the whole of government support, which is what is required in order for us to have an effective HIV response.”
He said the high rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) prevalent in our population were driving the surge in new HIV infections.
“STI rates that are untreated means that it’s easy for people to become infected with HIV.
“And as a result of HIV, TB numbers are increasing.
“This means that everyone in the country has a responsibility to be concerned about HIV, TB, and also STIs.
Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said a HIV/SRH (sexual and reproductive health) Unit had been established in the ministry’s Family Health Division to fight the outbreak of HIV in the country.
He said the unit would drive a coordinated, whole-of-government response to this public health emergency.
