Fiji Records 1,583 HIV Cases in 2023

Fiji recorded 1,583 new HIV cases in 2023, with 490 of those cases reported between October and December alone, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, revealed today.

Speaking at the Development Partner Roundtable on Fiji’s HIV Response at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Dr Lalabalavu said the latest figures are deeply concerning—especially the 32 cases of mother-to-child transmission among newborns.

“These alarming numbers require urgent, coordinated responses from all sectors. Included in this total are 32 newborns diagnosed with HIV through mother-to-child transmission,” he said.

The central division recorded the highest number of new infections with 1,100 cases (69.49%), followed by the western division with 427 cases (26.97%).

The northern division reported 50 cases (3.16%), while the eastern division had six (0.38%).

Key data released by the Ministry show:

The 20–29 age group accounted for the majority of new infections, with 815 cases (51%).

Males made up 70% (1,111) of total new cases.

The iTaukei population represented 90.3% of infections (1,430 cases), while 8.4% (133 cases) were among Fijians of Indian descent, and 1.3% (20 cases) from other ethnic backgrounds.

Dr Lalabalavu also noted that 48.6% (770) of the new cases have been successfully linked to care, and of those, 92.3% (711) have begun antiretroviral treatment (ART).

The Minister also raised concern over rising cases of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection, with a record 160 cases reported in the past year.

He urged the public to take proactive steps in protecting their health.

“We strongly encourage individuals to get tested, know their status, and if positive, seek treatment. If negative, maintain that negative status,” he said.

Reinforcing his earlier message, Dr Lalabalavu added, “I will reiterate what I have said before to all Fijians—HIV should not be a death sentence in Fiji!”