Fiji now has all the legal tools it needs to respond effectively to the HIV epidemic following changes allowing nationwide harm reduction services, says national HIV taskforce chair Dr Jason Mitchell.
The Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Unit is preparing to roll out harm reduction services following Parliament’s approval of the HIV/AIDS Amendment Act 2026.
The amendment inserts Section 46 into the HIV/AIDS Act, formally authorising the Ministry of Health to establish harm reduction programmes.
Importantly, the provision provides legal protection for health workers, pharmacists and outreach teams distributing sterile equipment, as well as people accessing the services.
Previously, distributing sterile equipment could be treated as aiding drug offences, leaving health workers vulnerable to arrest and preventing this component of Fiji’s HIV response from being implemented.
“This new provision gives the Ministry of Health and our partners authority to introduce harm reduction programs, protect workers and ensure sterile equipment can be legally made widely accessible,” Dr Mitchell said.
He said removing legal barriers to needle distribution was critical to reducing new HIV infections among key populations, although it remained only one component of Fiji’s broader response.
Dr Mitchell stressed that the amendment did not legalise illicit drugs or change Fiji’s criminal drug laws.
“What the new provision does not do is make illicit drugs lawful, they remain illegal,” he said.
“The legislation is simply about making it easier for us to distribute sterile equipment legally without risk of arrest.
“This was the one component of our national response that was legally blocked. Fiji now has all the legal tools it needs to respond effectively.”
