Fiji recorded 260 TB-HIV co-infection cases last year, highlighting the persistent and evolving challenges in tackling tuberculosis, particularly among children under five years old.
HIV co-infection remains a significant concern, with cases increasing from three in 2010 to 260 last year.
Alarmingly, 70 percent of children diagnosed with TB under the age of five are also living with HIV, often without their parents knowing their status.
The youngest patient diagnosed with drug-resistant TB was two years old, while the oldest was 66.
Speaking during the Medical Association’s Scientific Conference 2026, National TB Programme Control Officer Dr Luse Buinimasi says Fiji continues to grapple with persistent and evolving challenges related to tuberculosis, particularly among children under five years old.
She says according to the recent health reports, majority of TB cases are concentrated in the Central Division, with the most affected groups being within the mobile population segments.
Dr Buinimasi says the ongoing detection of cases in children indicates active transmission within communities, often involving adults who are unaware that they are infectious.
She says that despite negative laboratory results, many cases are diagnosed clinically based on symptoms and investigations, underscoring the importance of clinical judgment in TB diagnosis.
She says the trend of late-stage diagnosis is concerning, with most children presenting with disseminated TB, both pulmonary and extrapulmonary, after delays of up to a year, during which they visited private clinics and health facilities without receiving a diagnosis.
She says this highlights the critical need for routine HIV testing and early intervention among high-risk groups.
She also says that the rise in drug-resistant TB cases is another pressing concern because from January to August 2023, 13 cases were diagnosed across seven diagnostic sites, a small fraction of the total number of subdivisions.
She says as of August 31, 2023, 182 individuals were co-infected with TB and HIV.
Dr Buinimasi says Fiji’s health system faces resource constraints, with TB services still largely centralised and limited human resources available.
She stresses that plans are underway to decentralise screening, diagnosis, and treatment to all 21 subdivisions, aiming to bring services closer to affected communitie while advocacy for greater recognition and better remuneration for clinicians involved in TB care is also ongoing.
Dr Buinimasi is urging that, as Fiji continues to combat TB and HIV, proactive screening, early diagnosis, and community-based interventions are vital to turning the tide against these persistent public health threats.
