Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency amid a spike in infections as the Pacific nation grapples with a correlating rise in methamphetamine use.

The country’s health and medical services minister, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, said in a statement on social media that an outbreak-level response was no longer sufficient to address what he described an “epidemic”.

“Today I am formally declaring a national health emergency in Fiji,” he said. “This decision recognises the seriousness of the epidemic and the urgent coordinated response our country now needs.”

The health minister said the government estimates that one in every 60 adults in Fiji is now living with HIV.

“Five years ago, the estimate was one in 167. In 2025, we recorded 2,060 new HIV diagnoses,” he said, adding that one in 50 pregnant women has HIV.

The emergency declaration followed on from a cabinet decision on 9 September and would require a coordinated response, he added.

Home to less than one million people, the Pacific nation is facing one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally, according to UNAIDS, which said that new infections spiked 12-fold between 2010 and 2025.

Fiji’s location as a drug-running hub coupled with the escalating use of methamphetamine locally has fuelled the rapid spread of HIV, a situation worsened by unsafe injecting and a lack of access to clean needles. Low health awareness, cultural stigma and inadequate testing and treatment have exacerbated the crisis. 

Among HIV cases in Fiji with a known mode of transmission, over half were linked to sexual transmission and more than 42% to injecting drug use, according to UNAIDS.

Of an estimated 9,100 people living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, only 39% were aware of their HIV status and only 22% were accessing antiretroviral treatment, the UN said.

Responding to the emergency declaration, UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said in a statement on Wednesday that the situation was a “a stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over”.

“HIV epidemics can change quickly, and countries need health and community systems that are ready to respond urgently,” said Byanyima. “Fiji has recognised the urgency of the moment and is stepping up its response.”

The UN agency said it welcomed plans to introduce a needle and syringe programme, with legislative amendments expected to go before parliament, as well as efforts to expand prevention, testing and access to treatment. (The Guardian)

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Community Specialist Doctor Sathya Herath has cautioned that the number of patients reported with HIV infection in Sri Lanka is increasing year by year.

Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (13) at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Herath noted that a higher number of cases are emerging from Colombo and Gampaha districts, with infections reported more among males.

She identified unsafe sexual relations as the main driver of HIV transmission, while unsafe sexual behavior and the sharing of needles, syringes, and other equipment used for drug injections also contribute.

Dr. Herath stressed that HIV cannot be cured 100%, and those infected must undergo continuous long‑term clinical treatment. She added that individuals contracting HIV at a young age require medication and care for life.

To curb the spread, a special mobile clinic programme has been launched in Colombo and Gampaha districts, focusing on HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis. Operated by the National STD/AIDS Control Programme of the Ministry of Health, the initiative began in January as a pilot project.

The programme provides free services while safeguarding patient consent and privacy. Confidentiality of test reports is fully protected, and if infections are detected, patients receive medical advice and treatment at no cost.

Dr. Herath further observed that while HIV trends vary globally, Sri Lanka has seen a gradual increase in reported cases since 2023. She emphasized that Colombo and Gampaha, being densely populated, account for a larger share of cases compared to other regions. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has received special recognition from the World Health Organization for maintaining the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis as a public health concern, in line with international standards and global advisory recommendations.

The recognition was awarded in appreciation of Sri Lanka’s continued progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis to levels where they are no longer considered a major public health issue.

The award was presented today at the 79th World Health Assembly, currently being held in Geneva.

The certificate of recognition was handed over by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Health Ministry said the recognition reflects the progress achieved by Sri Lanka’s health sector in sustaining public health standards in line with global benchmarks. (Newswire)

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Patients of a retired dentist from Sydney, Australia, who practised for more than 25 years, have been urged to get tested for blood-borne viruses.

Blood-borne viruses spread when infected blood or other bodily fluids are passed from one person to another, including through contaminated needles or splashes and spatter of contaminated blood or saliva.

NSW Health issued the extraordinary public health alert on Wednesday, advising all patients of Dr William Tam to see their GP and ask for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV testing.

Tam practised at Albert Road in Strathfield, in Sydney’s inner-west, NSW Health said.

The alert said that while the risk is low, a recent audit of Tam’s premises by the Dental Council of NSW identified concerns about infection control practices at the premises, as well as patient record keeping.

Tam is retired and is no longer a registered dentist.

The clinical director of public health for the Sydney Local Health District, Dr Leena Gupta, said thousands of people may have been seen by Tam while he practised, but there are no records that can be used to contact those patients. 

“The poor infection control practices at Dr Tam’s practice means all former patients may be at low risk of a blood-borne virus infection, which can have serious and long-lasting health impacts,” she said.

“As a precaution, we are asking all of Dr Tam’s previous patients to seek testing for blood-borne viruses.”

Gupta said that people with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C may not have any symptoms for decades.

“So it is important that people at risk of these infections are tested, so that they can access treatment as appropriate. There are effective treatments available for all three conditions.”

Dr Zeina Najjar, a staff specialist in public health for the Sydney Local Health District, said an audit conducted in April identified inadequate sterilisation of equipment and poor cleaning.

“For this reason, concerns were raised for blood-borne virus transmission,” she told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

None of the patients have been diagnosed with a blood-borne virus, she said, adding auditors could not confidently identify all potentially affected individuals due to poor record keeping, prompting the public appeal.

The audit was a result of a complaint made to the Dental Council of NSW, Najjar said, but she did not detail the nature of that complaint or say when it was made.

“Patients who underwent invasive dental procedures – so those where instruments may have pierced the skin or the root of the tooth or the gum, or drawn blood – would be at a slightly higher risk,” she said. “But overall the risk, including to those patients, is considered to be low.”

Najjar said she could not comment on why Tam retired.

Former patients of Tam with further questions can speak to their GP or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. (The Guardian)

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Sri Lanka Police have busted over 50 brothels that had been operating under the guise of Ayurvedic Spas in Negombo, leading to the discovery of two women, including a minor, testing positive for HIV.

The Ayurvedic spas, which had been operated illegally, were raided over the last week based on a tip-off, after which measures were taken to shut down 53 spas.

According to the Police, the raids were launched after an individual addicted to alcohol had been subjected to a medical examination during which he was found to have tested positive for HIV.

Further investigations revealed that the man, a resident of Kochchikade in Negombo, was a frequent visitor to a spa in the Negombo area.

This information led to the Police inspecting spas in the area, during which 120 young women had been taken into custody and subjected to medical examinations. 

The Police said among the women, two, including a 15-year-old girl had tested positive for HIV. 

Investigations have revealed that the minor had left home over a dispute with her relatives after which she had been sold to a spa by an individual.

The Police said one person who had engaged in sexual activities with the minor had been arrested and remanded.

Eight other spa workers who had also contracted other social diseases had been identified during the raids. 

Following the inspections, the Police have taken measures to shut down over 50 illegally operated spas in the Kochchikade and Seeduwa areas in Negombo. (NewsWire)

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