AS the country grapples with the rise in HIV cases, there is shortage of viral load and infant diagnosis test kits.
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa said the country must be strategic now in how testing was conducted.
“While we currently have sufficient HIV test kits, we must continue to act with caution as we push for targeted testing,” he said.
Mr Ravunawa said some outreach programs were reporting zero per cent positivity, which indicates that testing may not be targeting the right groups.
“There is a tendency in Fiji to offer HIV testing to everyone and anyone, but this is not sustainable in a resource-limited setting.
“Some outreach programs are showing a zero per cent positivity, not a reason for celebration.
“This indicates we are not reaching the right at-risk groups, but rather testing those at low risk, such as older people in villages and settlements.”
The shortage of test kits affects not only routine monitoring but also early diagnosis in newborns, a concern, he said, they were urgently addressing.
“We also acknowledge a critical shortage of HIV viral load test kits and early infant diagnosis kits.
“These shortages affect our ability to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to diagnose HIV in newborns at the earliest possible stage.”
Mr Ravunawa said they were actively working with partners and suppliers to resolve the shortage.
“These shortages are temporary, and treatment remains available. We urge everyone on HIV medication to remain consistent in taking their medicines.”
He said the ministry was actively working with development partners and suppliers to urgently address these shortages.
“Our clinical teams continue to provide care, and we strongly encourage all patients to remain adherent to their prescribed medicines.”
He said treatment adherence remains the most important safeguard for health and well-being, even during these temporary testing constraints.