‘Children are dying’: Fiji hopes declaring an HIV emergency will help it tackle crisis
Fiji has declared a national health emergency to address a surging HIV crisis, with new infections rising significantly among young adults. Health officials are scaling up testing and treatment efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
Why it matters
The rapid increase in HIV cases in a small population highlights a critical public health crisis that requires urgent international attention and resource mobilization.
Fiji has a population of about 930,000 people, with an estimated 9,100 now living with HIV. Fiji has a population of about 930,000 people, with an estimated 9,100 now living with HIV. Fiji ‘Children are dying’: Fiji hopes declaring an HIV emergency will help it tackle crisis One in 60 adults Fiji lives with HIV but a recent emergency declaration may help address key issues such as syringe sharing
Prefer the Guardian on Google O n a recent Friday night, Dr Kesaia Tuidraki’s medical team parked its mobile clinic outside McDonald’s in downtown Suva, Fiji , and grabbed any kid they could to be tested for HIV. Of the 97 people screened, mostly teenagers – some on their way to get a burger, others to buy drugs – one in six tested positive.
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