FIJI’S future workforce could be increasingly affected by the country’s escalating HIV epidemic, with the majority of new diagnoses occurring among people in their most productive working years.
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa said the impact of HIV on young people went beyond health, with the country’s future productivity, resilience and economic development also at stake.
Mr Ravunawa said Fiji recorded 2016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, compared with 245 in 2022.
“This is not merely statistics,” he said.
He said two-thirds of those diagnosed last year were between 20 and 34 years old.
“Behind every diagnosis is a person. Behind every person is a family. And behind every young person is a future we have a responsibility to protect.”
He said about 9000 people could now be living with HIV in Fiji, with approximately one in every 60 adults aged 15 to 49 affected.
He said the figures should concern Fiji because young people represented a significant part of the country’s current and future workforce.
“When we invest in the health and wellbeing of our young people, we are investing directly in Fiji’s human capital, productive resilience and national development.”
He said the Government could not address the issue alone and called on universities, families, communities and young people to take part in prevention.
He urged young people to know their HIV status and seek treatment early if diagnosed.
