People are being urged to drink responsibly as alcohol intoxication can lead to risky sexual behaviour that increases the risk of HIV transmission.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News following concerns relating to unprotected sex and alcohol as a contributing factor, Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says alcohol itself is not the issue, but the behaviour that can follow when people become intoxicated.
Dr Lalabalavu says people who are drinking should enjoy themselves responsibly as intoxication can lead to unprotected sex and increase the risk of HIV transmission.
He says the Government is also working with the Vanua, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders to address stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV.
Dr Lalabalavu says continued awareness will remain part of the Ministry's outreach programmes.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Fiji’s National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce Dr Jason Mitchell says the Vanua and faith-based organisations have an important role to play because they are connected to a large part of Fiji’s population.
Dr Mitchell says increased media coverage has led to a tendency for people to turn on communities affected by HIV.
He stresses that Fiji needs an environment where people feel safe, protected and supported to access testing, treatment and care, and says we cannot afford to have a ‘vigilante approach’ to HIV on social media.
Dr Mitchell says he will ask the Cabinet subcommittee to ensure the HIV Board starts exercising its powers under the HIV Act relating to stigma, discrimination and privacy.
He says there are strong provisions under the Act and Fiji has reached a point where authorities need to say “enough is enough” and that stigma and discrimination will not be tolerated.
Dr Mitchell says this is important because stigma and discrimination could discourage people from accessing HIV services that have been made available to them.
He highlights children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of stigma and discrimination, particularly when parents and other community members are unable or unwilling to access available services because of fear of discrimination.
While responding to questions by fijivillage News on people potentially turning to traditional or bush medicine following the declaration of HIV as a national crisis, Dr Lalabalavu says this is another area where the involvement of the Vanua and faith-based organisations will be important.
He says the issue will continue to be discussed at committee level and with the Vanua, faith-based organisations and other partners as part of Fiji’s response to the HIV crisis.
