A “horrendously high” number of babies in Fiji are dying due to HIV related complications, says a health researcher, as the prevalence of the disease grows there.
The New Zealand government website SafeTravel says people travelling to Fiji should avoid activities that could increase their risk of infection.
In March this year, it was estimated 9000 Fijians were living with HIV and officials said high risk drug use was adding to the rapid rise.
Victoria University senior health researcher Sharon Mclennan told RNZ Checkpoint the situation in Fiji was “pretty bad” and had been driven partly by increased drug use.
“You see a lot of needle sharing going on, and that has been the fuse that lit this incredible increase in HIV.
Years of underfunding of the health service had also contributed to the problem, she said.
Mclennan said there had been a rise in mothers testing positive and babies being born with HIV.
“About one baby per week is being born and around about one baby per month is dying of HIV related complications… it’s horrendously high, it’s very high.”
Mclennan said there had been a push to get more people tested for HIV, but there remained issues with the availability of tests and social stigma.
“People don’t want to talk about it, because then they’ll be found out for behaviours that are not socially acceptable and they may get shunned or questioned.”
Fiji did not have a needle exchange programme, Mclennan said, but it was being discussed and planned for.
New Zealand had a role to play in helping Fiji deal with the problem, Mclennan said.
“Last year New Zealand gave $4 million towards Fiji’s Ministry of Health for support for HIV, we can certainly step that up. We can step up technical assistance.”
That included supporting Fijian people and their families living in New Zealand, she said.
“There’s a lot of movement between here and the islands… and so making sure that our Pacific populations know and are aware of HIV testing and treatment services here.”
Most New Zealanders travelling to Fiji were unlikely to be at risk, she said.
“I think the risk if you’re travelling for a family holiday over the school holidays is pretty low. But it’s still good to see that the government is taking notice and providing New Zealanders with some advice.”
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said New Zealanders travelling to Fiji should get comprehensive travel insurance, and register their details on SafeTravel.
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