A HIV/SRH (sexual and reproductive health) Unit is to be established in the Health Ministry’s Family Health Division.
Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said the HIV/SRH Unit would drive a coordinated, whole-of-government response to this public health emergency.
“You are all aware now that we are fighting an escalating battle of the outbreak of HIV in the country,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“The number of new cases of HIV continues to escalate significantly each month at a speed we have never witnessed before in Fiji.
“We will have to work together, us at the ministry policy level, and you at the ministry’s frontline, working in partnership with our communities and as a country to tackle this significant health challenge of our time.”
Dr Lalabalavu said these were difficult times, but with the continued support of communities and partners, he was confident they would rise to the challenge and protect the health and wellbeing of all Fijians.
“I have presented this to our leaders in government and I am greatly encouraged by the support expressed by fellow Cabinet ministers, who also recognise the need to respond decisively to the growing HIV epidemic and the increasing burden of TB-HIV co-infections.”
