Serious concerns about HIV/AIDS, drugs, rape, and domestic violence against women and girls have been raised by Minister for Lands, Filimoni Vosarogo, during the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting.
Vosarogo says the Health Ministry has highlighted that before December this year, there will be more than 3,000 new HIV cases.
He says in the first five months of this year, 800 new HIV cases were confirmed, and by the end of 2025, around 9,000 Fijians are expected to be living with the disease.
The Minister adds that the Health Ministry had also confirmed that 5,900 people were living with HIV in 2024.
He says from this figure, about 73 percent were under 30 years of age, while 10 percent were between 10 and 19 years old.
Vosarogo says these are the age groups that should be most productive, but their potential is being held back by the disease.
The Minister also raised concern about the rise in drug abuse among youths, saying the problem has reached villages across the country.
He says the leaders cannot deny that drugs are in their communities and they must stand firm in creating awareness and talking to young people about the negative impact on their lives.
Vosarogo says courts, remand centres, and prisons are becoming congested as more people are being arrested for drug-related offences.
He also pointed out that St Giles Hospital is operating at full capacity, as it was not designed for the rehabilitation of drug abuse patients.
The Minister further urged the leaders of Tailevu to take a firm stand that the province must be a place where women and girls are protected from all forms of violence.
He says in June this year, rape, sexual offences, and domestic violence cases against women and girls increased by 28 percent.
Vosarogo adds that in the same month, 102 cases were reported, with 60 percent of the victims under 18 years old.
He is calling on council members and community leaders to ensure these issues are discussed at village, district, and church meetings so that women and girls are protected from all forms of violence.
