All posts by Information Officer/GA

MINISTRY RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF AN ALLEGED DELIBERATE NEEDLE STICK INJURY TO A CHILD

MEDIA STATEMENT | 10 November 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is aware of reports that a child was deliberately injured with a needle. We can confirm that a school-aged child with an alleged deliberate needle stick injury was seen at a health centre in Suva last week and referred to CWM Hospital on the same day. The child was assessed, treated and started on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication as a precaution. The child is now home and is receiving follow-up care.

The matter has been reported to the Fiji Police Force. Because it is under police investigation, the Ministry will not comment on how the injury is alleged to have happened. We will not release any further details about the child or family, and we ask that no one share information that could identify them, their school or their community.

Why was PEP given?
There is no information on where the needle came from or whether it carried anything that could cause infection, such as HIV. Healthcare workers treat every needle stick injury from an unknown source as a possible exposure, which is why PEP was started. This is standard care. It does not mean the child has been infected.

What is the risk?

The risk of getting HIV from a needle stick injury is low. Even when a needle is known to carry blood from a person living with HIV, infection occurs in about 3 of every 1,000 needle stick injuries. The risk is lower again outside a healthcare setting, because any blood on a needle is usually a very small amount and the virus does not survive long once exposed to air. This risk is lowered further when PEP is started within 72 hours after exposure.

A needle stick injury can also carry a risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Anyone injured should be checked by a doctor, who will look at their vaccination history, arrange blood tests and give the right treatment.

How well does PEP work?
PEP is a 28-day course of HIV medicines. It works best when started as early as possible, ideally within a few hours and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Started early and taken as prescribed, it greatly lowers the chance of HIV infection after exposure. Follow-up blood tests over the next few months confirm whether a person is clear. PEP is free at the Ministry’s healthcare facilities.

Keeping children safe
Needle stick injuries in the community are uncommon. Most HIV infections in Fiji come from sharing needles and syringes when injecting drugs, and from sex without a condom. Parents can help keep children safe by encouraging them to walk in groups when out in public, to tell an adult straight away if they are hurt or approached by a stranger, and never to pick up or touch a needle or syringe they find.
If someone is injured by a needle:
•Wash the area gently with soap and running water. Do not squeeze, scrub or suck the wound.
•Go to the nearest health centre or hospital straight away.
•Report any assault or suspicious behaviour to police.

A message on HIV and stigma
Some comments online have linked this report generally to people living with HIV. Nothing is currently known about the source of the needle or the health status of anyone alleged to be involved, and we should avoid making assumptions about either. Speculation like this spreads fear and risks fuelling discrimination against the thousands of Fijians living with HIV, who are our family members, neighbours and workmates and deserve the same respect and privacy as anyone else.

Fear and blame make the HIV emergency worse, because they stop people from getting tested and treated. With treatment, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives, and the medicine can also stop the virus from being passed on. This will help protect all of us.

Anyone who wants a HIV test or advice can visit your nearest health facility, including the Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs listed on the Ministry’s website: SRH/HIV – HEALTH FIJI
Testing and treatment are free and confidential.

ENDS

WATER SYSTEM UPGRADE AT CWM HOSPITAL

PUBLIC ADVISORY #43/26 | 30 October 2026.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services wishes to advise the
public that a crucial water infrastructure upgrade is currently
underway at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH).
This upgrade aims to connect and test pipelines extending from
the hospital’s new water tank. The Ministry intends that this
upgrade will integrate the new water tank with the existing
water system servicing the Maternity Ward and the West Wing
(including the Lancaster, Tailevu, and Namosi wards).

To minimize inconvenience to patients, staff, and visitors, all
connection and testing works will be conducted overnight from
5pm onwards when hospital water demand is at its lowest.
Operations have commenced on Thursday, 29 October 2026,
and are scheduled to conclude on 14 November 2026.
As part of the hospital’s contingency plan to ensure continuous
care during potential disruptions, all existing backup water tanks
have been fully filled to maximum capacity for use while the
main supply is being worked on. Every phase of this project has
been planned to ensure that daily hospital operations face
minimal disruption.

These works represent a critical step forward in the Ministry’s
ongoing commitment to resolving long-standing water supply
challenges and ensuring a resilient, reliable utility network for
Fiji’s primary referral hospital.
The Ministry kindly requests the patience and cooperation of the
general public during this two-week maintenance period as we
work to deliver essential facility improvements.

ENDS

RISE IN DIARRHOEA CASES ON BATIKI ISLAND SPARKS EMERGENCY MINISTRY OF HEALTH RESPONSE TO EL NIÑO WATER CRISIS

PUBLIC ADVISORY #40 | 21 September 2026.

The Batiki Nursing Station in the Lomaviti Group has already reported a surge in cases of diarrhoea, highlighting the immediate human toll of this climate adversity.

In response to this urgent health threat, the Ministry of Health & Medical Services has deployed an emergency team to Batiki Island to combat a severe, El Niño-driven water crisis.
Prolonged dry conditions have depleted local rainwater harvesting systems, leaving maritime communities in a desperate struggle for clean water.

To bring immediate relief, an emergency water response team departed Suva for Batiki Island at 8:00 PM last night. The current operation prioritizes the local boarding school and the health center, where families have been forced to share limited communal water reserves.

Continuous supply trips are already scheduled from Levuka to maintain this vital water lifeline.
To protect residents and prevent a wider disease outbreak, the Ministry has put the following emergency measures into action:

  • Medical Lifelines: Clean drinking water has been transported from Ovalau specifically to prepare life-saving Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), and essential antibiotics have been pre-positioned at the nursing station.
  • School Protections: Medical officers and health inspectors are on the ground at the boarding school conducting regular health checks and auditing water safety to shield vulnerable students.
  • Supply Chain Management: While the WASH project equipped health centers with water tanks, tank capacity alone cannot withstand a prolonged drought. The Ministry is actively managing the transition to barged and carted water supplies.

Critical Diarrhoea Prevention Guidelines To stop the spread of illness, the Ministry urges all residents to practice the following water-safety measures:

  • Boil All Drinking Water: Bring water to a boil for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.
  • Practice Strict Hand Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.
  • Protect Water Sources: Keep water storage containers tightly covered to prevent contamination, and use a clean utensil to scoop water.

With local authorities warning that the driest period of this El Niño event will persist between October and December, the Ministry is working around the clock to ensure this environmental crisis does not become a medical tragedy.

ENDS

Influenza Cases Continue to Rise Across Fiji

PUBLIC ADVISORY #39 | 18 September 2026.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services is urging the public to take extra health precautions following a sharp increase in flu cases across the country. 

The latest respiratory health report, covering the first nine months of the year (January to September 2026), shows that sickness from flu-like viruses is rising quickly.

In the first week of September alone, health centers recorded 1,780 new cases of influenza-like illness (ILI). This is a massive 75 percent jump in sickness compared to just the week before.

Health data shows that the Central Division is currently the hardest-hit area in Fiji, recording the highest number of flu cases with 975 patients seeking care in a single week. 

The Northern Division followed with 398 cases, while the Western Division recorded 362 cases.

The report also reveals that children under 5 years old are the most affected age group. 

This young group makes up 30 percent of all flu-like cases nationwide. 

In the Northern Division, young children accounted for 30 percent of the local cases, while in the Central Division, they made up 24 percent.

Laboratory tests from January to September confirm that a specific flu strain, Influenza A (H1pdm09), is the main virus causing the current outbreak. 

Furthermore, an online public health tracker called FluTracking showed that the number of everyday citizens reporting both a cough and a fever spiked from 10.2 percent to 16.4 percent in one week.

What is the Flu?

The flu (influenza) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. While it can feel like a common cold, the flu is much more serious. It can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia, especially for vulnerable groups:

  • Babies and young children;
  • Adults over 60 years old;
  • Pregnant women;
  • People with medical conditions (like diabetes, asthma, heart, or kidney disease);
  • Smokers and individuals with obesity;

Common Symptoms

Most people recover in 7 to 10 days. Typical symptoms include:

  • Fever, headache, and body aches
  • Cough and sore throat
  • Runny or stuffed nose and sneezing
  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea (mostly in children)

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe vomiting, confusion, or severe drowsiness.

How to Protect Yourself and Others

The flu spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touching infected surfaces. Protect your community by following these steps:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer;
  • Cover your mouth and nose  with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing;
  • Stay home if you are feeling sick;
  • Wear a mask if you are sick and need to go out;

Caring for Sick Children at Home

1. Keep Them Hydrated

Fevers cause dehydration, which can be dangerous for babies.

  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices (like lemon juice).
  • If breastfeeding, offer shorter, more frequent feeds. You can also express milk and feed it from a cup if they refuse the breast.
  • Watch for dehydration signs: Dry lips, no tears when crying, a sunken soft spot on the head, low energy, or fewer than 3–4 wet nappies in 24 hours. See a doctor immediately if you notice these.

When to Take Your Child to the Doctor

Take your child to a health centre immediately if they:

  • Are under 3 months old and have a fever of 38°C or higher;
  • Have a fever over 38°C for more than two days, or any fever reaching 40°C or higher;
  • Have a fever that does not drop after consulting a healthcare provider regarding fever management;
  • Are unusually drowsy, lethargic, or refuse to eat or drink;
  • Are wheezing or struggling to breathe;

ENDS

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES STATEMENT ON NAUSORI HEALTH CENTRE ASSAULT INCIDENT

PUBLIC ADVISORY #38 | 8 September 2026.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services is actively addressing an incident that occurred at the Nausori Health Centre recently, whereby a security guard allegedly assaulted a patient waiting to be served.

The Ministry in reaffirming its core values, will not condone any actions that compromise patient well-being, safety, or respect. 

Every individual seeking medical assistance is entitled to the highest standard of care, and the Ministry remains fully committed to treating all patients with utmost care, compassion, and dignity.

As the patient has already formally lodged a complaint with the Nausori Police Station, the Ministry wishes to clarify that the matter is now a criminal police case. 

Consequently, the Ministry’s operational jurisdiction regarding the external dispute resolution concludes here, allowing the police to conduct an independent legal investigation. 

The Ministry will co-operate fully with law enforcement authorities as they handle the case moving forward.

-ENDS-