Amanze Chinonye
Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after a sharp rise in new infections, with an estimated one in 60 adults now living with the virus, prompting the government to expand testing, treatment and prevention services.
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Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu announced the declaration on Wednesday, saying the scale of the epidemic required a coordinated national response.
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Fiji recorded 2,016 newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2025, 27% more than the previous year and about 16 times the number recorded in 2019, according to government figures. Adult HIV prevalence is estimated at one in 60, compared with one in 167 five years earlier.
UNAIDS estimates that about 9,100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025. Only 39% knew their status, while about 22% were receiving antiretroviral treatment, indicating a substantial gap in diagnosis and access to care.
Among cases for which the mode of transmission was known, more than half were attributed to sexual transmission and more than 42% to injecting drug use, according to UNAIDS. The rise in injecting drug use, including methamphetamine use, has become a particular concern for health authorities.
The epidemic has also affected pregnant women and infants. About 2% of pregnant women in Fiji are estimated to be living with HIV. Fifty-nine babies were born with HIV in 2025, while 18 died before their first birthday, according to official figures.
The government plans to expand free and confidential HIV testing, increase access to antiretroviral treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis, and strengthen harm-reduction measures for people who inject drugs, including needle-and-syringe programmes.
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Fiji has established a five-minister Cabinet subcommittee to coordinate the response and is receiving support from Australia, New Zealand, India, the Global Fund and United Nations agencies.
UNAIDS welcomed the declaration, saying Fiji needed to accelerate prevention, testing and treatment as infections continued to rise.
The move follows Fiji’s declaration of an HIV outbreak in January 2025. Authorities subsequently expanded testing and treatment, but the continued rise in infections has prompted the government to escalate the response to a national crisis.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
