PR 25/24
Date: 16/08/2024
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry Releases Updated HIV / AIDS Stats
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has recorded 552 new cases of HIV from January to June 2024. The HIV cases are seen from every division of Fiji, with Central recording 380, Western 151, Northern 19, and Eastern 2 new HIV cases each. While sexual transmission is known to be the primary transmitting means for HIV in Fiji, as seen in 2024, 85 of the 552 cases were transmitted through Injectable Drug use(these are individuals who have identified themselves as using injectable drugs), which is 15% of the total cases till June 2024.
The numbers we are seeing, in comparison to 2023, are already 33% higher than the national HIV cases identified in 2023. Fiji should not be alarmed by this increase, as efforts have been made to increase nationwide testing and treatment. A significant increase is anticipated before the fall, as the MHMS has implemented and continues to strengthen its strategies to improve national testing, enrolment into care for HIV, and necessary communications.
In 15 to 19 years, we diagnosed 50 new persons living with HIV (9%); in 20-24 years, 137 new persons living with HIV (24.8%) and in 25-29 years, 128 new persons living with HIV, at 23%. The latest HIV cases are predominantly seen in individuals less than 39 years of age (73%), though it does not exempt individuals greater than 40 years of age.
So far in 2024, we have noted 13 deaths from HIV-related Illnesses from the period of January to June, while we recorded around 82 in 2023. In this era of HIV, one needs to know that HIV is NOT a death sentence and treatment is available. We encourage individuals nationwide to get themselves tested and, most importantly, to know their test results. If they are positive, they should seek treatment early rather than later. If negative, continue to practice safe sexual behaviour and not engage in activities such as Bluetoothing and Chemsex to prevent transmission related to injectable drug use.
The MHMS strongly encourages all individuals in Fiji to know your HIV status, let’s not be naive to our status. HIV, while it cannot be cured, has treatment available, and one does not need to die from it.
ENDS