Fiji Declares HIV a National Crisis After 2,016 Diagnoses in 2025

What changed

Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after recording 2,016 diagnoses in 2025, a 27% rise from the previous year.

The government plans to expand free, voluntary and confidential testing, PrEP, needle-and-syringe services, and treatment. It has also created a five-minister Cabinet subcommittee to coordinate the response.

Why it matters

The headline number is only part of the problem. UNAIDS estimates that 9,100 people in Fiji were living with HIV last year, but only 39% knew their status and 22% were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

The crisis declaration could help close that gap. More testing will likely uncover more infections before the total begins to fall, creating immediate demand for medicines, staff and follow-up care. People who inject drugs could gain access to needle-and-syringe services and PrEP, while broader confidential testing could make treatment easier to start.

The stakes are starkest for infants. Fifty-nine babies were born with HIV in 2025, and 18 died before their first birthday. Earlier diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy could reduce that toll, but only if services are consistently available.

The likely near-term test is whether Fiji can turn the declaration into functioning care. If funding, staff and supplies hold, treatment coverage and awareness should rise over the next 6 to 12 months. If they do not, testing may identify more infections without giving people enough access to prevention or treatment.

What to watch next

• Treatment coverage rising above the reported 22% estimate.
• The share of people who know their status moving above 39%.
• PrEP, needle-and-syringe services and confidential testing appearing in more locations.
• Fewer infant HIV infections and first-year deaths than the reported 59 births and 18 deaths.