Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency as Infections Surge

Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency as Infections Surge

Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after health data showed that about one in 60 adults in the Pacific island nation is estimated to be living with the virus.

UNAIDS estimates that around 9,000 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, but only 39 per cent knew their status and 22 per cent were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

Health Minister Antonio Lalabalavu said HIV infections have increased 12-fold over the past 15 years, prompting the government to expand free testing and treatment and introduce clean-needle services for people who use drugs.

Officials have also linked part of the rise to increasing injected methamphetamine use, while warning that stigma and limited healthcare access could make the crisis harder to contain.