The Pacific nation of Fiji declared HIV a national crisis in a bid to address the significant rise in HIV cases and protect communities across the country.

In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses — 16 times the number recorded in 2019, according to official figures.

An estimated one in every 60 adults is now living with HIV, compared with one in 167 five years ago. Among pregnant women, two in every 100 are living with HIV, while 59 babies were born with HIV in 2025, with 18 dying before their first birthday.

"Expanded testing is also helping health services reach more people and identify cases that may previously have gone undiagnosed, allowing individuals to access treatment and care earlier," the government said on September 15.

"As part of the national response, Government is expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services and treatment. This includes rapid testing, prevention medicine for people at higher risk, harm-reduction measures for people who inject drugs, and free treatment for people diagnosed with HIV."

The government said it was getting support from international partners, including Australia, New Zealand, India, the Global Fund and the United Nations.