FIJI is moving closer to introducing a needle and syringe program as part of efforts to curb rising HIV infections, with authorities now in the final stages of preparation.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed that consultations are ongoing with key legal and justice stakeholders to ensure the rollout is carefully managed.
He emphasised that community awareness will be critical to the program’s success, stressing it must not be perceived as encouraging drug use.
Instead, he said, the initiative is a targeted public health measure designed to reduce HIV transmission among high-risk groups while safeguarding broader community understanding and support.
“We in the ministry are talking with our counterparts, the DPP, the JPs office, and the other relevant stakeholders,” he said.
This comes as the chairman of the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce, Dr Jason Mitchell, said the delay stemmed from enforcement concerns, despite there being no legal barrier to implementation.
Dr Lalabalavu said the initiative formed part of a wider harm reduction approach but required careful coordination because of legal and social concerns.
“We’re in the final stages of ensuring that we can roll out the needle exchange program.”
He said public awareness would be essential before the program began to avoid misunderstandings in communities.
“It has to be accepted by the community.
“It must not be seen as a form of encouraging drug use.”
