Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruiratu is calling on the Ministry of Health to release monthly HIV data so the public and stakeholders have a clear, timely picture of the evolving outbreak.
He said transparency is essential in building trust and driving effective response, adding the declaration of a national HIV outbreak is a matter of urgent national concern.
“This crisis is not confined to one demographic or region. Over 90% of cases are among iTaukei Fijians, and more than half involve young people aged 20 to 29,” he said.
“The Central Division alone has recorded 766 cases, but every division has been affected.”
“Equally alarming is the rise in injectable drug use as a primary transmission route, now accounting for over 50% of known cases.”
“This signals a dangerous intersection between the HIV crisis and the broader drug epidemic.”
Mr Seruiratu added the Ministry of Health must accelerate the rollout of the HIV Surge Strategy, ensuring that testing, treatment, and harm, reduction services are accessible across all communities.
