Fiji declares national emergency over HIV epidemic

Fiji has declared a national health emergency over its rapidly growing HIV epidemic, with the government estimating that one in 60 adults is now living with the virus.

The figure compares with around one in 167 adults five years ago, prompting Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu to say an “outbreak-level response is no longer sufficient”.

UNAIDS estimates that 9,100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025. However, only 39% knew their HIV status and 22% were receiving antiretroviral treatment, compared with a global treatment rate of 78%.

The outbreak has also increased pressure on Fiji’s healthcare system. Jason Mitchell, who leads the country’s national HIV response taskforce, told ABC News in an interview that hospitals and outpatient services were treating patients who could otherwise remain well if they had access to appropriate treatment.

Pressure on local healthcare capacity is relevant to international health insurers and medical assistance providers supporting expatriates, internationally mobile workers and travellers in Fiji, particularly when assessing access to appropriate local care.

Fiji plans to expand HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services as part of its emergency response, including the introduction of a needle and syringe programme.

UNAIDS welcomed the declaration, saying the rapid increase demonstrated the need for health and community systems to be able to respond quickly to changing HIV epidemics.

The development comes as international insurers, assistance providers, and healthcare systems face other evolving infectious disease risks. The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 6,900 confirmed cases, with infections continuing to rise across several provinces.