Fiji’s Ministry of Health has put crucial HIV medication under controlled distribution while awaiting additional supplies.
These include Antiretroviral (ARV) medications, or Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which stops the virus from replicating and damaging CD4 cells, essential to the immune system.
In a statement, the ministry stated that they expect new batches of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, to arrive by the end of this month. In the meantime, alternative treatment options are being used to ensure that patients continue their medication regimen, with enough doses to last for at least one month per patient.
The announcement comes as recent statistics show a sharp increase in HIV cases in Fiji. Data released in August revealed that the country recorded 552 new HIV cases in the first half of 2024, 33% more than total cases recorded in 2023. The majority of these new cases were in the Central Division (380), followed by the Western Division (151), Northern Division (19), and Eastern Division (2).
Young people were particularly affected, with 73% of the new cases among those under 39 years old. The highest numbers were seen in the 20 to 24-year age group, which accounted for nearly a quarter of the new infections. While most of the new infections were due to sexual transmission, there was also a noticeable increase among people who inject drugs. During the same period, Fiji reported 13 HIV-related deaths.
