Fiji's President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said everyone in the country needs to redouble their efforts in reducing the rising number of HIV AIDS cases.
The number of new reported cases for 2011 alone was 54, and the number of new reported HIV AIDS cases in 2010 was 33.
The total number of reported cases now stands at 420.
While speaking in a joint press conference with the visiting Executive Director of UNAIDS, Under Secretary General of the UN, Michel Sidibe at Government House earlier this afternoon, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the message of practicing safe sex should continue to be emphasized.
Fijivillage also asked the President what should be done, and he took out two condoms from his shirt pocket to emphasize the need to promote the use of condoms.
The Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Michel Sidibe has also acknowledged the leadership of the President in bringing in laws that do not restrict travel for people living with HIV AIDS.
An open forum with stakeholders was held at Government House today which was attended by Sidibe and the President and hopes are high that the focus will be on zero new infections and zero discrimination of people living with HIV AIDS.
Heterosexual intercourse is the main mode of HIV transmission in Fiji, accounting for about 89 percent of reported cases.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
President speaks on HIV/AIDS
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