The President and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu expressed concern about our HIV numbers yesterday.
He believes, if serious action is not taken, HIV could wipe out the iTaukei community.
Now that is pretty serious business. It is a shocking reflection of the status of our HIV figures.
In fact it makes sense that there should be a concerted effort to get to the bottom of this rise, and work on strategies to address this major challenge.
Ratu Naiqama said 89 per cent of HIV cases in Fiji were from the iTaukei community.
That is quite a large number.
It is concerning, however, it is important that we have figures to work with.
We need to know everything from the impact on ethnicity to the age groupings.
They are important for us to address them effectively.
As the President said yesterday, we must talk about it. We must be serious about how we deal with HIV cases.
Sharing this at the vakasenuqanuqa event at Somosomo on Taveuni yesterday, he said some cases were not spread through sexual intercourse but through drug-sharing via syringes.
“People are sharing needles for drugs such as methamphetamine,” Ratu Naiqama said.
Now this is the cruncher: “If you think our village is safe from this drug, think again!”
“Don’t act surprised or laugh about it — this is a serious issue,” he said.
In January this year we reported that Fiji was grappling with a rising HIV epidemic that could reach catastrophic levels in the coming years if preventative measures were not put in place.
The Ministry of Health sounded the alarm, warning that based on trends then, the number of HIV cases could soar to 20,000 within the next four years.
That projection came after Health Ministry officials revealed alarming statistics and trends in HIV transmission, particularly among young adults and injecting drug users.
Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu declared an official HIV outbreak in the country, citing a significant surge in new cases and related deaths.
Between January and September 2024, 1093 new HIV cases were recorded, along with 115 HIV-related deaths.
To address the national crisis, the ministry launched the HIV Outbreak Response Plan and National HIV Surge Strategy 2024-2027 on January 22, 2025.
Now here we are, with this shocking revelation by the President.
We have a serious challenge before us. The onus is on us to do something about it.
That means stakeholders coming together to be part of the solution.
It means fighting the drug war for starters and being aware of HIV.
We are talking about parents and guardians, the church, the vanua, the police and the Government being engaged.
It means everyone playing their part, and collectively we all aid in dealing with this challenge.
So let’s talk about it. Let’s engage in meaningful discussions and take action to fight this crisis!
