Fiji Government Declares HIV Epidemic a National Emergency

On Tuesday, September 15, the government of Fiji officially declared a national emergency due to the rapid spread of HIV in the country. The decision was announced by Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu after the initiative was approved by the cabinet.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health , the situation has reached a critical level: current estimates show that one in 60 adults in the island nation is living with HIV, compared to one in 167 five years ago. Among pregnant women attending antenatal care, the prevalence is even higher, reaching about 2% (one in 50). In total, around 9,000 people are registered with a positive status in Fiji.

According to the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Fiji’s epidemic is the second-fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region, behind only Papua New Guinea. Authorities attribute the sharp rise in cases to sexual transmission and an increase in injecting drug use.

To combat the crisis, the government has formed a special subcommittee consisting of five cabinet ministers. The new measures include expanding testing, treatment, and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Additionally, a national needle and syringe exchange program is being developed to reduce risks among drug users—a move that will require legislative amendments. Officials also intend to work closely with local communities, faith-based organizations, and indigenous leaders.

The Republic of Fiji is an island nation in Oceania with a population of about 900,000. According to UNAIDS, despite the surge in new infections, testing coverage and access to continuous antiretroviral therapy have historically remained low in the country. The emergency declaration aims to help overcome bureaucratic barriers and accelerate the healthcare system’s response to the crisis.