Story perspectives

Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency After 2,000 New Cases

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 2:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lalabalavu Declares HIV Emergency

Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu declared a national HIV emergency.
Government reported over 2,000 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, 16 times the 2019 total.
One in 60 adults and one in 50 pregnant women are now estimated HIV positive.
About half of 2025 infections were linked to injecting drug use, mainly methamphetamine.
Response expands free testing, treatment, PrEP access, and launches a needle-and-syringe program.

Summary

Lalabalavu Leads HIV Taskforce

Health Minister Dr Antonio Lalabalavu chairs a Cabinet subcommittee to steer Fiji’s HIV response.
Members include Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, Police Minister Ioane Naivalurua and iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu.
Australia pledged AUD $48 million (F$75 million) and New Zealand NZ$5.2 million (F$6.62 million) for the response.
Taskforce chair Dr Jason Mitchell warns health-worker shortages are slowing treatment expansion.

Summary

Tukuitonga Blames Poverty

HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Fiji exceeds 2%, showing rising mother-to-child transmission.
One child is born with HIV each week and another dies each month in Fiji.
Sir Collin Tukuitonga says poverty, unemployment and organised-crime drug trafficking drive Fiji’s HIV outbreak.
SafeTravel urges New Zealand travelers to obtain travel insurance and consult GP before visiting Fiji.
Dr Sharon McLennan warns the crisis could raise HIV cases among New Zealand’s Pacific people.

1 of 3

Lalabalavu Declares HIV Emergency

Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu declared a national HIV emergency.
Government reported over 2,000 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, 16 times the 2019 total.
One in 60 adults and one in 50 pregnant women are now estimated HIV positive.
About half of 2025 infections were linked to injecting drug use, mainly methamphetamine.
Response expands free testing, treatment, PrEP access, and launches a needle-and-syringe program.

1 / 3