The feasibility study on pre-exposure prophylaxis is expected to be completed by the end of this month or early next month.
This has been highlighted by Chief Medical Officer Dr.Luisa Cikamatana when she was asked for an update on the dialogue during the Fijian Media Association Press Club on HIV/AIDS.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, when taken as prescribed, pre-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective for preventing HIV.
Dr. Cikamatana says the report will provide insights into the initiative, and they will need to determine how to implement it as a structured program.
She also highlighted their main focus is on targeting mothers and antenatal clinics, as these are controlled environments where timely intervention is more feasible.
The Chief Medical Officer also says that the discussions have begun with the Policy Department and the National Counter Narcotics Bureau on how they can collaborate to gather more intelligence on the ground.
She emphasized that they cannot proceed without sufficient evidence, and this is an area where more research is crucial.
Dr. Cikamatana adds she hopes the ongoing studies will provide the necessary evidence to support informed decision-making.
