UNDP and Health Ministry respond to Fiji’s HIV crisis with critical medical supplies

As part of its urgent response to Fiji’s escalating HIV outbreak, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health, has announced the handover of lifesaving HIV and TB medicines and diagnostics, valued at approximately FJD$592,000.

The delivery includes HIV treatment for adults, as well as special doses for babies and children, and rapid test kits for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis C, and tuberculosis.

This will facilitate scaling up of testing, getting people on treatment and preventing mother-to-child-transmisson of HIV.

Fiji is currently responding to a fast-growing HIV outbreak. where in 2024 alone, it is estimated that nearly 1,600 people contracted HIV which is 4 new cases every day.

Young people and key populations (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender people and sex workers) are the hardest hit.

The government also reports that people are late to diagnose, as well as co-infections with sexually transmitted infection (STIs) and Hepatitis B.

This handover is part of a broader and ongoing collaboration between UNDP and the Ministry under both the UNDP-Global Fund partnership and to support the National HIV Outbreak Response Plan.

The aim is to ensure an uninterrupted supply of HIV treatment and other commodities using UNDP’s global procurement system.

Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, says this handover of essential HIV, STI, Hepatitis B, and TB medications and diagnostic supplies is a result of that partnership in action.

Dr Lalabalavu says through partnership, we will be able to maintain uninterrupted treatment for people living with HIV and scale up testing across the country.

He says these are not just statistics, they are lives saved, communities empowered with access to care.

UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative, Munkhtuya Altangerel emphasized the importance of this partnership saying this is a time for action, not promises.

She says UNDP stands with Fiji in solidarity—because when lives are at stake, partnership means showing up, side by side.

The UNDP representative says this handover is one part of the broader HIV Outbreak Response Plan led by the Ministry of Health and supported by national stakeholders, development partners, civil society, and communities.

As part of this national effort, UNDP is working with the Ministry and partners to ensure a steady supply of essential HIV and TB commodities, strengthen procurement and logistics systems, generate strategic data, and support community-based outreach.