UNAIDS warns laws are blocking HIV prevention in Fiji

Fiji's current laws are obstructing a key measure that UNAIDS believes could help curb the nation's rapidly escalating HIV epidemic. The outbreak, primarily driven by injecting drug use and sexual transmission, requires urgent intervention, according to Renata Ram, UNAIDS Pacific HIV Adviser.

Ram highlighted that health workers and community groups are restricted from distributing clean needles and syringes. This is despite strong evidence that such harm-reduction programs significantly reduce HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. The Ministry of Health has prepared much of the groundwork for a harm-reduction program, but legislative barriers are delaying its implementation.

"The laws do not support actually distributing sterile injecting equipment," Ram explained. "And if health care workers start doing that, and community workers start doing that, they could face the brunt of the law because it’s seen as aiding and abetting drug consumption in Fiji."

UNAIDS emphasizes that Fiji's HIV outbreak, declared nationally in January 2025, demands immediate action beyond simply relabeling the crisis. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu stated the HIV Task Force is collaborating with government agencies, health workers, communities, and development partners to tackle the issue.

“

The laws do not support actually distributing sterile injecting equipment. And if health care workers start doing that, and community workers start doing that, they could face the brunt of the law because it’s seen as aiding and abetting drug consumption in Fiji.