124 HIV reported cases from Jan to Oct

124 HIV cases were recorded by the Health Ministry from January to October this year.

Health Minister Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says 41% of the cases are females living with HIV.

Doctor Waqainabete says this number may be alarming but they have ascertained some of the reasons for this.

He says one of the reasons is there is a lot more awareness and also with the measles outbreak and COVID-19, they have better-profiled communities and can now have the opportunity to make more diagnosis.

There have been a total of 1,216 HIV cases recorded in Fiji.

Speaker of Parliament and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for HIV in the Pacific, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says the family planning training of trainers is an integral part of reproductive health which allows women and girls to access services freely and safely.

He says it will improve the service delivery of family planning in the country and make it accessible to all Fijians.

Ratu Epeli says this will ensure that there are provisions of condoms.

Ratu Epeli says human rights approached applied everywhere will produce sustainable results for health.

He says studies have shown that stigma and discrimination is still high in Fiji.

In response to comments by Ratu Epeli, Doctor Waqainabete says they want to make sure that there is no discrimination in any of their 220 health facilities.

Doctor Waqainabete says discrimination is a black hole that knows no end.