Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency Amid Drug-Driven Surge

Fiji has declared a national emergency regarding its rapidly escalating HIV outbreak, with officials reporting one in every 60 residents now living with the virus. The surge is attributed to increased intravenous drug use fueled by methamphetamine trafficking and persistent sexual transmission driven by stigma. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu noted 2,060 new diagnoses occurred in 2025 alone, reversing a global trend of declining rates since five years ago when prevalence stood at one in 167.

The crisis has severely impacted newborns; the epidemic reached infants with two-month-old babies identified as living with both HIV and tuberculosis. Save the Children Fiji reported that 59 babies acquired the virus from their mothers last year, while a health researcher estimated approximately one baby per week is born infected and another dies monthly due to complications.

Victoria University senior researcher Sharon Mclennan described the situation as "horrendously high," citing years of underfunding alongside needle-sharing among drug users. While Fiji lacks an existing needle exchange program, New Zealand has pledged increased technical assistance and funding support for HIV response efforts.