Rising HIV Cases in Fiji: The Alarming Role of Bluetoothing, Chemsex, and Needle Sharing

Fiji’s Growing HIV Crisis: A Closer Look

In Fiji, the fight against HIV is becoming more urgent. The number of people living with HIV has skyrocketed from fewer than 500 in 2014 to around 5,900 in 2024. This alarming increase is mostly fueled by intravenous drug use and unsafe sexual practices.

Sesenieli Naitala, founder of Fiji’s Survivor Advocacy Network, highlights a heartbreaking reality: some young people are getting HIV at a very young age. In fact, she recalls meeting a ten-year-old boy diagnosed with the virus. Many youth, like him, find themselves sharing needles on the streets—especially during the height of COVID-19, when safety resources were scarce.

As of January 2024, Fiji’s health minister declared an HIV outbreak. Statistics show a 1,583 new cases that year, a staggering jump compared to previous averages. Alarmingly, 41 of these cases were in children aged 15 or younger, signifying a sharp rise in pediatric cases. The ministry predicts over 3,000 new infections by the end of 2025, calling the situation a national crisis.

Experts, frontline workers, and advocates express concern over why the numbers are climbing. While awareness around HIV has increased and stigma is declining, many cases remain hidden. The overarching problem is that many people still don’t know they’re infected.

Rising Drug Use and Its Impact

At the core of Fiji’s outbreak is a troubling trend: drug use, particularly in young people. A practice known as “bluetoothing” is emerging among users. This involves sharing blood via needles, putting more people at risk. Kalesi Volatabu, head of the NGO Drug Free Fiji, highlights the dangers she has witnessed firsthand. She recounts a morning walk in Suva where she observed a group injecting each other with shared blood, showing the severe health risks involved.

The appeal of this practice partly stems from cost. Sharing a single hit of drugs among multiple users is cheaper, especially since obtaining syringes can be challenging in Fiji’s conservative society. Many pharmacies require prescriptions for syringes, pushing those in need to rely on NGOs for distribution—a gap that is increasingly alarming.

Fiji’s Ministry of Health has pointed out that a significant portion of new HIV cases stems from injectable drug use. Between January and September 2024, about 20% of new infections were attributed to this practice.

Societal Challenges and Slow Response

Fiji’s geographical location has made it a hub for crystal meth trafficking. This has worsened the crisis. There has been a troubling trend of younger users, compounding the urgency of the situation. Recent statistics highlight that injectable drug use accounted for nearly half of all HIV cases, underlining the importance of education and harm reduction strategies.

Public health advocates like Ms. Volatabu and Ms. Naitala are working to spread awareness. They’re hopeful that diminished stigma and increased testing will eventually help control the epidemic. However, many still fear that official statistics represent just the tip of the iceberg.

José Sousa-Santos, head of the Pacific Regional Security Hub, warns of a “perfect storm.” He emphasizes that available resources, such as healthcare personnel and treatment options, are not keeping pace with the rising case numbers. The lack of robust systems to track infections and distribute treatments could lead to even more dire consequences in the near future.

Conclusion

Fiji’s HIV crisis is a complex issue driven by various factors, including rising drug use and societal stigma. Experts agree that without substantial changes, the situation could worsen. As the country confronts this challenge, the urgency of immediate action grows. More awareness, education, and support are crucial for combating the spread of HIV and ultimately saving lives.

For more insights into Fiji’s public health strategy, consider visiting WHO’s report on HIV in the Pacific.

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