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While Australia is considered to be on track to virtually eliminate HIV transmission by 2030, one of our regional neighbours is confronting a rapidly accelerating HIV crisis that health experts warn could overwhelm its already stretched health system.
Fiji is facing one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world, with over 3,000 new infections expected this year alone. A decade-long surge in infections pushed the small island nation to declare a national HIV outbreak in January.
The Albanese Government announced a $48 million investment into the Pacific response to HIV on Thursday, said to protect the “shared health security” of the region — that includes Fiji — through technical assistance, disease surveillance and co-investment in public health responses.
The joint United Nations HIV/AIDS program (UNAIDS) estimates the number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen from fewer than 500 in 2014 to 5,900 a decade later — an elevenfold increase.
Only 36 per cent are aware of their status and just 24 per cent are on treatment, according to UNAIDS data.
In the same timeframe, Australia witnessed a significant 33% reduction in new HIV diagnoses.
