Suva, Sept 2026 : Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after new diagnoses increased by 27 per cent last year, prompting concerns that infections are spreading beyond groups traditionally considered at higher risk, including people who inject drugs.
According to the Fijian government, 2,016 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2025, while an estimated one in every 60 adults in the Pacific island nation is living with the virus.
The government also reported that 59 babies were born with HIV last year, while 18 infants died before reaching their first birthday.
Authorities said the rise in recorded cases was partly linked to increased testing, which has helped identify infections earlier and allowed affected people to begin treatment sooner. Fiji now plans to expand access to free, voluntary and confidential HIV testing, preventive medicines, treatment and harm-reduction services for people who inject drugs.
With a population of around 900,000, Fiji is witnessing one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally, according to UNAIDS. The agency estimates that about 9,100 people in Fiji were living with HIV in 2025. However, only 39 per cent were aware of their HIV status, while just 22 per cent were receiving antiretroviral treatment.
“Fiji has recognized the urgency of the moment and is stepping up its response,” UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said, adding that the situation was also a reminder that AIDS remains a global public health concern.
Data cited by UNAIDS showed that among cases where the mode of transmission was known, more than half were linked to sexual transmission, while over 42 per cent were associated with injecting drug use.
UNAIDS has welcomed Fiji’s proposed measures to strengthen prevention and treatment. These include the introduction of a needle-and-syringe programme and wider access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, medication that can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.
The Fijian government has also constituted a five-member Cabinet subcommittee to address barriers affecting the country’s HIV response. Officials said discrimination against people living with HIV is illegal and stressed that HIV-related services are available across the country.
The national response will focus on expanding testing, prevention and treatment while maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that people living with HIV can access healthcare without discrimination.
Fiji’s estimated HIV prevalence of one in 60 adults remains lower than rates reported in some parts of Africa. According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in 35 adults is living with HIV in some African regions.
The government’s declaration comes as Fiji seeks to strengthen its public health response through earlier diagnosis, wider treatment coverage, preventive measures and greater access to services for communities at risk.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
