Fiji declares HIV national crisis as infections spike
Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after a 27% rise in 2025 new diagnoses (2,016 cases), with about 1 in 60 adults living with HIV; 59 babies were born with HIV and 18 died before age one. UNAIDS describes the rise as among the sharpest globally. Transmission is largely sexual, with over 42% linked to injecting drug use. The government will expand free testing, prevention meds, PrEP, and harm‑reduction services, including a needle‑and‑syringe program; discrimination is illegal. Yet only 39% know their status and 22% receive antiretroviral therapy, raising concerns about regional spread if the response falters.