Fiji declares national crisis as HIV infects one in every 60 adults

Por Lucy Craymer — – World RSS Feed

Pacific nation reported 27 per cent surge in new diagnoses last year

Lucy Craymer Thursday 17 September 2026 05:46 BST

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A Medical Services Pacific Moonlight programme team provides free HIV testing during an outreach visit in Suva, Fiji ( AFP/Getty )

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Fiji declared HIV a national crisis following a 27 per cent surge in new diagnoses last year, raising fears that an outbreak previously concentrated among people injecting drugs was spreading broader across the Pacific nation.

In a statement published on Facebook, the government revealed that 2,016 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in 2025, estimating that one in every 60 adults was now living with the infection.

The announcement noted that 59 infants were born with HIV last year, with 18 dying before reaching their first birthday.

Officials stated that increased testing capabilities had exposed previously undetected cases, allowing patients to access earlier care.

In response, authorities intend to expand free, voluntary, and confidential testing, along with preventative medications, harm-reduction initiatives for intravenous drug users and medical treatment.

According to UNAIDS, the nation of 900,000 people is facing one of the steepest global increases in new HIV infections. The agency estimated that 9,100 Fijians were living with the virus last year, yet only 39 per cent were aware of their status and merely 22 per cent were undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

“Fiji has recognised the urgency of the moment and is stepping up its response,” UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said. “It is also a stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over.”

For cases where the mode of transmission was identified, UNAIDS noted that sexual contact accounted for over half, while injecting drugs represented more than 42 per cent.

The agency praised official plans to launch a needle-and-syringe programme and broaden availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication used to lower the risk of contracting HIV.

The government recently established a five-minister cabinet subcommittee to remove barriers to action, while officials reiterated that discriminating against anybody with HIV was illegal and care remained accessible nationwide.

Although severe, Fiji’s rate of one in 60 adults living with HIV remains lower than some regions of Africa, where close to one in 35 adults carries the virus, according to WHO data.