Education blog

There are serious concerns in Fiji on increasing number of HIV-AIDS cases and Health Ministry officials are calling on people to take action and prevent the spread of the deadly virus after three new-born babies were tested positive for HIV this year.

Fiji’s Health Ministry’s Assistant Media Liaison Officer, Peni Namotu said on Thursday to local media that the ministry wants everyone including religious organizations, teachers and parents to take action and step up to ensure that people take preventative measures.

This after figures were released this week at the first National Advisory Committee on AIDS (NACA) by National Adviser for Family Health.

Fiji’s National Advisor Family health Dr Josaia Samuela said there had been 21 new cases this year taking the total to 354 since 1989.

There were 43 new cases last year alone and this was an alarming figure for a population with just over 850,000 people.

Samuela said, “Fiji is not eligible to apply for Global Funding for HIV-STI activities for Round 10 because based on latest World Bank classification, Fiji is a now high middle income country.”

Despite this setback, Fiji would continue to seek funding from other donor’s the Pacific Response fund through SPC (through Australian and New Zealand government funding).

“Through this, NACA and other stakeholders can access the five funding streams available.”

Samuela said the status of the draft HIV Prevention, Care and Support Decree was now being looked at by the Office of the Solicitor General.

He said it was discussed in the meeting that there was a need to strengthen NACA secretariat in ensuring the subcommittees ( including the 3 divisional committees) are running and implementing activities stated in the Fiji HIV-AIDS Strategic Plan 2007-11.

He said there were also concerns on turn-around time for testing,testing agents running out and ARV drugs.

The latest statistics show 21 new HIV reported cases for this year as at the month of June bringing the total number of cases to 354.

It has also been suggested that the school system must take sex education and HIV-AIDS awareness programs to younger children.