We have the time to act now to halt and reverse the spread of HIV in Fiji before it’s too late.

These are the words of Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma who said the recent data indicates increasing availability of HIV testing and counseling services. In Fiji there are 31 facilities both private and public that provide such services to our population.

Last year there were 27, 865 HIV tests performed around the country. This number includes blood donors, STI clients and ANC mothers.

Sharma said for Fiji, there are currently 39 people on treatment with Anti-retroviral therapy. Most of these are adults and they access treatment mainly through three Hub centers in Labasa, Lautoka and Suva.

He adds last year there were three HIV positive pregnant women who received anti-retroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission to their children.