AIDS commission praises Fiji Govt

In 2008 Fiji had a cumulative total of 290 people suffering from HIV and AIDS with 34 people dying from the disease, however this figure only reflects those cases that are reported.

That is the revelation from the Commission on AIDS in the Pacific in their report - Turning the Tide: An open strategy for a response to AIDS in the Pacific.

UN Special Advisor of Asia/Pacific Dr Prasad Rao said that there needs to be a better system of recording and reporting as many people tend to be afraid to come forward and seek assistance, adding unreported cases could see the final figures double.

Doctor Rao praised the effectiveness of the Fiji Government in addressing the issue, especially with the introduction of laws such as the New Crimes Decree as well as work that is being done on the draft HIV and AIDS Decree.

Doctor Rao said if such legislation were not in place, then HIV and Aids in the country would be on a very large scale, as in the case of PNG where close to 99% of the total reported HIV cases in the Pacific was from the island.

According to the Report by the Commission, after a close study of reported cases from 1997 to 2007, the number of cases in Fiji is expected to rise on an average of 20.85 cases a year.

A total of 26 recommendations have been made in the Report which will today be handed over to Government at the launching of the Report by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.