Fiji Declares HIV a National Crisis as New Diagnoses Surge 27%
Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after new diagnoses climbed 27% in 2025, with officials estimating one in 60 adults now living with the disease. The Pacific island nation is launching expanded testing, prevention medicines, and harm-reduction services to combat what experts say is one of the world's sharpest rises in new infections.
Crisis Declaration
Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after new diagnoses climbed 27% last year, intensifying concern that an epidemic once concentrated among people who inject drugs is spreading more widely through the Pacific island nation.
Key Statistics
The government said in a statement posted on Facebook that 2,016 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2025 and estimated that one in 60 adults was living with the disease. The crisis extends to the most vulnerable: Fifty-nine babies were born with HIV last year and 18 died before their first birthday. Fiji, a country of around 900,000 people, is experiencing one of the world's sharpest rises in new infections, according to UNAIDS.
Government Response
Authorities said expanded testing had helped uncover infections, enabling earlier treatment. Fiji now plans to widen access to free, voluntary and confidential testing, prevention medicines, as well as harm-reduction services for injecting drug users and treatment.
Global Significance
The declaration marks a turning point for the Pacific region, where HIV transmission patterns are shifting from being primarily concentrated among key populations to spreading into the general population. Fiji's acknowledgment of the crisis and commitment to comprehensive interventions—including prevention, testing, and treatment access—reflects a public health approach recommended by international organizations. The nation's epidemiological data underscores the urgency of curbing transmission among all demographic groups, particularly in preventing mother-to-child transmission.