Rising HIV infections among the iTaukei population should be a serious wake-up call for families and village leaders, says Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.
Addressing the Cakaudrove Provincial Council, Dr Lalabalavu revealed that more than 90 per cent of reported HIV cases in Fiji were from the iTaukei community.
“No village has been spared. This should really wake us up,” he said, noting that more than 2000 people have been identified so far, though the actual number could be closer to 7000.
The minister also confirmed that community health workers — critical to Fiji’s frontline HIV response — have not been paid, citing reporting issues and government financial caps as the cause.
