The Ministry of Health is planning to increase HIV testing for key population groups by three per cent.
In Parliament, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said this was one of the responses Government had in place to address the rising number of HIV cases in Fiji.
“The solution to the HIV situation in Fiji requires a number of actions and approaches involving critical stakeholders collaborating and working together to comprehensively address the many aspects of the issue,” said Dr Lalabalavu.
“The Ministry is finalising the HIV Surge Strategy which will facilitate our collaboration with health partners, across government ministries, and our communities to strengthen prevention, increase national HIV testing by three per cent for key population groups, improve access to diagnosis and treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination relating to HIV and AIDS, and strengthen the governance of our HIV response program.”
He said the HIV clinics across the country were working with stakeholders and community groups to increase awareness and understanding on the dangers relating to injecting drug usage.
“Understanding the risks associated with the practice is important in curbing the practice amongst new and potential users.”
The Health Minister added that key HIV services would also be decentralised.
“The ministry will facilitate the decentralisation of service delivery, testing, treatment, and care with oversight provided by the specialist sexual reproductive health clinics in Fiji’s three large divisions: Western, Central and Eastern, and Northern.
“This will facilitate the collaborations that addresses universal access and inequity for service delivery with public and private health sectors across the nation.”
