More funds for HIV programs, infrastructure upgrades and medications – Dr Lalabalavu

With the country’s HIV status continuing to grow, the Health Ministry is looking at getting more funding in the upcoming 2025/2026 National Budget to run their different HIV programs.

Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says they always want an increase and have asked for an increase in some programmes, particularly HIV programs.

He says they hope for more funding to strengthen primary health-care and more allocations for outreach capabilities.

Dr Lalabalavu says they have also made submissions for new equipment, medications, and infrastructure upgrades.

While speaking about the challenges the Ministry continues to face in terms of workforce, the Minister says they still face some issues in this area, as he has been told that some recruitments were done overseas in the last few weeks.

He says the Ministry is trying to identify some push factors and put in place good remuneration and better working conditions for staff.

Dr Lalabalavu adds the government is committed to ensuring that they look after our staff very well so that they stay and work for Fiji in future.

The Minister says they are also working with the Education Ministry through its tertiary facilities to ensure those who have graduated are at the same time admitted into the workforce as replacements. He adds that they are working very hard to retain experienced nurses and doctors and hopes this can be factored in the budget.

The Minister also revealed that not all graduates want to work in the Ministry as their papers are recognised in Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has revealed that 1,583 cases of HIV was recorded between January and December 2024 - and 90.3 percent of this are iTaukei.

This is equivalent to 1,430 individuals.

8.4 percent of the cases were among Fijians of Indian descent, and 1.3 percent were from other ethnic groups.

50 percent of the new HIV cases last year are from injectable drug use.

The 2025/2026 National Budget will be announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad next Friday.