Parliament has agreed to fast-track the HIV/AIDS (Amendment) Bill 2026, paving the way for Government to introduce a legally authorised HIV harm reduction program.
Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu told Parliament on Tuesday that the amendments were urgently needed because the existing legal framework prevented the Ministry of Health from commencing planned harm reduction measures.
The proposed program would allow the provision of sterile needles and syringes, condoms, pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, safe disposal facilities, counselling and awareness materials, and referrals to treatment, rehabilitation and mental health services.
The Bill would also provide legal protection for health workers, authorised program providers and participants where their actions are reasonably necessary to operate the program and are carried out in good faith.
Dr Lalabalavu stressed that the amendments would not decriminalise drugs or reduce existing penalties for drug-related offences.
Opposition members supported the Bill, and MP Alvick Maharaj said there was an urgent need to address Fiji’s HIV situation while also tackling drug use, particularly among young people.
The motion to consider the Bill without delay, pass it through a single stage, bypass committee referral and debate and vote on it on October 1 was subsequently approved by Parliament.
The Bill contains three clauses, including a new provision empowering the minister to direct the implementation of a Harm Reduction Program.
The Bill’s three clauses:
l Clause 1 provides the commencement of the Act by notice in the gazette to allow the amendments to take effect promptly following assent.
l Clause 2 provides a clear legal definition of a Harm Reduction Program, establishing what is meant by such a program for the purpose of the Act.
l Clause 3 inserts a new Section 46, empowering the minister to direct the ministry or the HIV/AIDS board or an authorised person to implement the Harm Reduction Program.
