Government will pilot a syringe exchange program at one of the country’s health centres as part of efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV, says Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
He told Parliament recently the initiative would be part of broader harm reduction measures under the national narcotics strategy, with close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Fiji Police Force.
“As it is, it is still probably illegal to obtain needles and syringes without a prescription,” he said.
“And that is what the police officers are saying.
“It is part of the broader national narcotics strategy, we play a role in terms of harm reduction and through harm reduction, and trying to reduce the transmission.
“We hope that we can pilot a program in one of our health centres to be able to do a syringe exchange program so we can reduce the transmission, and we will be working closely with the police.”
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj had raised concerns about conflicting messages from health and anti-narcotics officials over needle access, saying there should be “one message … from the Government side” to curb HIV/AIDS transmission.
Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya urged the minister to ramp up public awareness, including “blast messaging” through mobile networks.
“It is getting out of hand, and it is about the protection of our young people,” Mr Koya said.
Dr Lalabalavu agreed awareness was “an integral part of the plan” and said all forms of media, including social media, would be used. Former minister Parveen Bala also asked if Aspen Medical’s Ba and Lautoka hospitals had stopped supplying medicines.
“The medications are available at the Ba and Lautoka hospitals for inpatients,” Dr Lalabalavu said.