Fiji declares emergency over AIDS epidemic

“I am officially declaring a national HIV emergency. This decision reflects the severity of the epidemic and the need for the urgent, coordinated response our country needs,” said Fiji’s Health Minister Antonio Lalabalavu.

More than half of the cases of infection occurred through sexual contact, and 42% were associated with drug use. A decision was made to expand access to treatment and free testing and prevention. Particular attention will be paid to those who are at risk.

According to official data, every 60th resident of the country is HIV-infected. Five years ago it was every 167th. 2% of women giving birth are carriers of the virus. In 2025, 59 infected babies were born in the country. 18 of them did not live to see a year.