Fiji Faces Rapid HIV Surge Amid Unsafe Drug Practices
Fiji is experiencing a significant increase in HIV cases, largely attributed to unsafe drug practices such as 'bluetoothing' and 'chemsex'.
Fiji is witnessing a sharp rise in HIV infections, with cases escalating from fewer than 500 in 2014 to approximately 5,900 by 2024. This surge has been linked to unsafe drug practices, notably 'bluetoothing'—a method where individuals share blood after injecting drugs—and 'chemsex', involving drug use during sexual activities.
In January 2025, the Fijian government declared an HIV outbreak, implementing a 90-day containment plan and a longer-term HIV Surge Strategy to address the crisis.
The Ministry of Health reported that among newly diagnosed individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy, half contracted HIV through injecting drug use.
Efforts to introduce harm reduction programs, such as needle-syringe exchanges, have faced challenges due to cultural and religious sensitivities.
UNAIDS has emphasized the need for a non-discriminatory approach to ensure effective prevention, testing, and treatment services.
The rapid increase in HIV cases underscores the urgency for comprehensive public health interventions and community engagement to curb the epidemic's spread.