POLICE Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has called for urgent national action to address the growing number of HIV cases, warning that silence and inaction could have serious consequences for future generations.
Speaking at the Multi-Cultural Week hosted by the Fiji National University College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences in Tamavua yesterday, Mr Tudravu stressed the need for open discussions and decisive measures to tackle the issue.
“We need to move away from operating in silence and find solutions to why it’s increasing, why many are turning to drug use, and why there’s a rise in HIV cases,” he said.
He questioned whether enough attention was being given to the issue.
“We have not been taking HIV cases seriously. I don’t know whether this statement is true or not, but this is the way I’m looking at it.
“It is now known and it is sad that we have an increase number of HIV, and yet, I haven’t seen a lot of effort in looking into that.”
He emphasised that HIV required a coordinated, nationwide response.
“To me, HIV is something that we need to champion and that we need to find a national solution to it.
“We need to be aggressive to the effort that we are trying to put in to deal with this. A lot of talks have been going on, but we need to action the things that needs to be done.”
Mr Tudravu highlighted the long-term impact on younger generations if urgent steps were not taken.
“It’s important to act now for the sake of our future generation, and to protect the next generation from being born to a life that was not their choice, but a decision of others.
“I’ve been saying this to all our police officers who have been going in the operations, as well as to the chiefs and people in the community that we have to protect this generation, otherwise, we will pass this on to the nest generation.”
