The Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu, has expressed concern over the recent HIV outbreak in Fiji, which has revealed a disproportionate number of cases among individuals are of iTaukei descent. 

While acknowledging that the majority of the Fijian population is of iTaukei origin, Vasu emphasized the importance of everyone, regardless of their background – coming forward to get tested for HIV. 

Of the 1,093 reported cases of HIV in Fiji, around 784 are males, with 990- or 90.6 percent- of the cases coming from iTaukei descent. 

Fijians of Indian descent account for 8.2 percent, or 90 cases, while other ethnicities make up 1.2 percent, with 13 cases. 

The new Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, has offered India’s support, drawing on the country’s strength in the medical sector to help Fiji tackle the ongoing outbreak.

iTaukei Affairs Minister is urging all Fijians to get tested, emphasizing that HIV medications are available in adequate supply. 

The Ministry of Health is also urging Fijians to avoid the use sharing needles, as data revealed that Injectable Drug Use or IDU was the number one cause of HIV transmission.