Fiji recorded an alarming rise in babies being born with HIV last year, with health officials warning that major gaps remain in testing, treatment and maternal healthcare services.
This was raised by Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV Unit team lead, Dr Priya Kaur during the Fiji Medical Association Mini Conference.
She revealed that 59 babies were born with HIV in 2025 after contracting the virus from their mothers during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding, giving Fiji a mother-to-child transmission rate of 18 percent.
She says the World Health Organisation target is below 5 percent, placing Fiji among countries with some of the highest transmission rates globally.
Dr Kaur says more than 300 pregnant women were living with HIV last year, but only 21 percent were virally suppressed despite free treatment being available through the Ministry of Health.
She says antiretroviral medication is provided free in Fiji and can reduce the virus to very low levels within three to six months if taken daily.
She also revealed that 18 children died from HIV-related infections last year, with most of the cases linked to mother-to-child transmission.
Dr Kaur says many of the infections could have been prevented through early antenatal bookings, repeat HIV testing during pregnancy and better follow-up care for mothers.
She also raised concerns over congenital syphilis, revealing that hundreds of babies were born with the infection at CWM Hospital last year.
She says while Fiji is good at testing pregnant women, gaps still remain in linking mothers to treatment, partner tracing and ensuring mothers continue care during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Dr Kaur says the Ministry has now strengthened testing programmes, expanded HIV care teams and introduced repeat HIV testing for pregnant women at divisional hospitals.
She says Fiji can reduce mother-to-child transmission through stronger healthcare systems, public awareness and early treatment.
