Fiji’s planned Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) is being delayed by enforcement concerns, despite there being no legal barrier to its rollout, says chairman of the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Dr Jason Mitchell.
Dr Mitchell confirmed that existing HIV laws allow for the program, but uncertainty over how those laws are interpreted on the ground is preventing implementation.
NSPs are public health initiatives designed to provide clean injecting equipment to individuals who inject drugs so they stop sharing needling syringes.
“Needle and syringes are for drug users, they do not lead to increased drug use,” he said.
“There’s no two ways about it. We have to introduce it.”
He said the delay comes as infections linked to unsafe injecting practices continue to rise, with shared needles identified as a major driver of HIV and Hepatitis C transmission.
He explained that supplies of appropriate needles and syringes were already on their way to Fiji, but officials say distribution cannot begin without clear protection for those involved.
“We have been told by some authorities that if we, the Ministry of Health were to introduce a needle and syringe program, we will be arrested.
“We need to make sure our healthcare workers and peers are protected.”
He said the program was a critical public health measure aimed at reducing harm, not promoting drug use.
“We can pretend it’s not there, or we can introduce a public health measure.”
“As we argue about whether we should be introducing needle and syringes or not, infections continue to spread in our community of drug users.”
