Now this is a real shocker! Perhaps it’s time for a massive shift in mindset at the very core of HIV prevention efforts.
The revelation that a senior health official is calling for an urgent overhaul of HIV prevention strategies in Fiji will leave many people scratching their heads, wondering how we ever got here.
Because if this assessment holds true, then somewhere along the line, we have not been as effective as we should have been. Did we lose focus? Or have we been relying too long on approaches that no longer reflect today’s realities?
The warning is there though. Our strategies are not keeping pace with a growing public health crisis.
Principal medical officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV at the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Dashika Balak, made these remarks during a cultural dialogue hosted by Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in Tamavua on Monday.
Dr Balak raises an important point about whether existing measures are still suited to the challenges we face today. She noted that many of the strategies now in use have remained largely unchanged for decades.
She believes traditional prevention approaches are no longer effective in the present context. It seems long-promoted messages around abstinence, fidelity, and condom use are no longer delivering the desired results in today’s environment.
She highlighted that behavioural strategies on their own are inadequate, pointing to alarmingly low condom usage rates despite widespread availability. According to recent data, less than 20 per cent of people in the general population use condoms, even though they are freely accessible.
She emphasised the need to embrace science-driven interventions. These include preventive treatments taken before or after exposure to HIV, as well as harm reduction measures such as needle and syringe programs.
She raised the issue of stigma as well. Dr Balak stressed that while scientific knowledge and effective tools already exist, social barriers continue to undermine progress. Silence, fear, and reluctance to openly discuss risk factors are preventing many from seeking help or adopting safer practices.
If we accept that our current approach is falling short, then we must be prepared to rethink, reset, and respond decisively.
That begins with a fundamental shift in mindset. Those responsible for shaping and implementing prevention strategies must take ownership of change and act with urgency. There is no room for complacency.
We say the cost of inaction is too high.
With the added complexity of drug use and its associated risks, the challenge becomes even greater. Our response must evolve to reflect the realities on the ground. That means understanding emerging trends, confronting uncomfortable truths, and tailoring campaigns that resonate with today’s audience.
If we are serious about fighting HIV, then we must be bold enough to change course!
