The Government will look at establishing a dedicated rehabilitation program as part of Fiji’s planned needle and syringe program, Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says.
Speaking yesterday, Dr Lalabalavu said the proposed needle and syringe program (NSP) could provide a pathway for people who use drugs to access rehabilitation and other health services.
“While we have some facilities set up, we do not have yet a dedicated rehabilitation, but that is something we also plan to have established,” he said.
Chairman of Fiji’s National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce, Dr Jason Mitchell, said the NSP was being considered because some people who inject drugs were sharing needles and syringes because it was difficult for people to get access to clean needles.
“Out of desperation, people are sharing needles and syringes and drug mixing equipment,” he said.
He said the program, used in more than 90 countries, also served as entry points to rehabilitation.
He said Fiji needed quality rehabilitation services to ensure people could access support beyond the immediate health risks associated with injecting drugs.
“Both the needle and syringe program and the rehabilitation program must work hand in hand so that people have access to full services.”
