Worrying signs as 126 HIV related deaths recorded in Fiji last year

126 deaths last year were caused by HIV.

Chairman of the Fiji National HIV Outbreak Cluster Response Taskforce, Dr. Jason Mitchell, confirmed this during fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, where he says that deaths from other diseases in other areas are relatively low.

Dr. Mitchell says HIV-related deaths are inexcusable because treatment is available, and there should be zero deaths associated with HIV.

He says the global goal is to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination, and Fiji is working towards that.

Dr. Mitchell also highlighted that regarding the availability of medication and drugs in Fiji, the government has made key decisions, including outsourcing the procurement of HIV and TB treatment and diagnostics to the UN system.

He adds that there is currently a contract between Fiji and the UNDP, which uses its global procurement system to ensure drug stocks are always available in the country.