FIJI is now on track to becoming the country with world’s fastest growing HIV epidemic!
This was revealed in the latest UNAIDS 2025 Global AIDS Update report, which shows a tenfold increase in the number of people living with HIV in the country over the past decade.
The report, titled AIDS: Crisis and the power to transform, shows that since 2014, the number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen from fewer than 500 to an estimated 5900 in 2024.
Additionally, new diagnoses have tripled in the last year alone, from 2023 to 2024.
The revelation places Fiji second only to the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of HIV infection growth, having surpassed Papua New Guinea, which historically has carried the region’s highest burden of the virus.
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, responding to the findings, described the situation as severe and acknowledged the urgency of the national HIV response.
“In terms of the Asia-Pacific region, Fiji has surpassed PNG. We are only behind the Philippines,” he said.
“That goes to show the severity of the issue that we are currently facing in Fiji.”
Dr Lalabalavu estimated that the current number of new cases could now be exceeding 7000 and warned of an “escalated level” of infections across the country.
To address the crisis, the ministry has established a dedicated HIV unit and pledged greater logistical and financial support.
“There will be more outreach.
“About two weeks ago, we were able to give this new unit a car for its own purpose.
“Together with that, in the coming weeks, we expect more support for the unit.”
While the Government has committed $10million towards HIV response initiatives, Dr Lalabalavu said additional external support would be crucial to “go the extra mile” in slowing transmission and addressing the epidemic comprehensively.
