Fiji has declared a national health emergency to combat a rapid rise in HIV infections. Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu stated that standard outbreak responses are no longer sufficient to stop the growing epidemic across the Pacific island nation.
Government estimates show that about one in every 60 adults in Fiji is now living with HIV, up from one in 167 five years ago. In 2025, health officials recorded 2,060 new diagnoses. Experts explain that the surge is heavily driven by Fiji's location as a drug-smuggling hub and a rise in local methamphetamine use. More than half of cases with known transmission modes involved sexual contact, while over 42 percent were linked to injecting drugs with shared needles.
The rapid spread of the virus has put a heavy strain on the country's health system. Out of an estimated 9,100 people living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, only 39 percent were aware of their diagnosis, and only 22 percent were receiving antiretroviral treatment, which is medication that helps control the virus. Cultural stigma and limited access to testing have also delayed treatment for many individuals.
To address the crisis, the Fijian government plans to introduce a needle and syringe program alongside legislative changes. UNAIDS, the United Nations HIV agency, welcomed the emergency declaration and supported Fiji's commitments to expand testing, prevention, and medical care.