Latest news with #FijiSun
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
‘HIV Should Not Be A Death Sentence In Fiji' – Call For Testing Amid Outbreak
Article – RNZ There were 490 new HIV cases in Fiji from October – December last year. Fiji's Minister for Health & Medical Services has revealed the latest HIV numbers in the country to a development partner roundtable on the country's response. There were 490 new HIV cases from October – December last year, bringing the 2024 total to 1583. 'Included in this number are 32 newborns diagnosed with HIV acquired through mother-to-child transmission,' Dr Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu said. Fiji declared an outbreak of the disease in January. The Fiji Sun reported around 115 HIV-related deaths in the January-September 2024 period. Fiji's Central Division reported 1100 new cases in 2024, with 427 in the Western Division and 50 in the Northern Division. Of the newly recorded cases, less than half – 770 – have been successfully linked to care, of which 711 have been commenced on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Just over half were aged in their twenties, and 70 percent of cases were male. Dr Lalabalavu said the increase in HIV cases is also seeing an increase in tuberculosis and HIV co-infection, with 160 individuals in a year. He said the ministry strongly encourages individuals to get tested, know their status, and if it is positive, seek treatment. And if it is negative, to maintain that negative status. 'I will reiterate what I have said before to all Fijians – HIV should not be a death sentence in Fiji.' In the Western Pacific, the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) reached 1.9 million in 2020, up from 1.4 million in 2010. At the time, the World Health Organisation said over the previous two decades, HIV prevalence in the Western Pacific had remained low at 0.1 percent. However, the low prevalence in the general population masked high levels of HIV infection among key populations.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
'HIV Should Not Be A Death Sentence In Fiji' - Call For Testing Amid Outbreak
Fiji's Minister for Health & Medical Services has revealed the latest HIV numbers in the country to a development partner roundtable on the country's response. There were 490 new HIV cases from October - December last year, bringing the 2024 total to 1583. "Included in this number are 32 newborns diagnosed with HIV acquired through mother-to-child transmission," Dr Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu said. Fiji declared an outbreak of the disease in January. The Fiji Sun reported around 115 HIV-related deaths in the January-September 2024 period. Fiji's Central Division reported 1100 new cases in 2024, with 427 in the Western Division and 50 in the Northern Division. Of the newly recorded cases, less than half - 770 - have been successfully linked to care, of which 711 have been commenced on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Just over half were aged in their twenties, and 70 percent of cases were male. Dr Lalabalavu said the increase in HIV cases is also seeing an increase in tuberculosis and HIV co-infection, with 160 individuals in a year. He said the ministry strongly encourages individuals to get tested, know their status, and if it is positive, seek treatment. And if it is negative, to maintain that negative status. "I will reiterate what I have said before to all Fijians - HIV should not be a death sentence in Fiji." In the Western Pacific, the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) reached 1.9 million in 2020, up from 1.4 million in 2010. At the time, the World Health Organisation said over the previous two decades, HIV prevalence in the Western Pacific had remained low at 0.1 percent. However, the low prevalence in the general population masked high levels of HIV infection among key populations.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Fiji rugby director sacked after four days over women's team ‘gay problem' claim
The Fiji Rugby Union's director of rugby has been sacked just four days into her new role after saying the women's team had a 'gay problem.' Laijipa Naulivou was appointed to the top position last Saturday but came under fire for comments that 'lesbianism' had caused a rift in the Fiji women's team which led to the side's poor performance at last year's Paris Olympics. Fiji won a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but at last summer's Games fell dramatically short in their aim of reaching the podium after being knocked out in the group stage. The Pacific Islanders placed last among the 12 competing nations. In an interview with the Fiji Sun after the FRU announced her appointment, Naulivou said she had previously asked for the head coach of the women's side to be removed and for a panel to be set up to select the women's team instead of 'a person who practices lesbianism being up there and choosing her people. To me that is unethical and it's not right.' She also controversially claimed that player same-sex relationships was 'one big drawback' when the Fiji women's team participated in a previous sevens tournament and claimed 'this gay problem' was impacting player retention across other European nations. The FRU announced on Wednesday it had terminated Naulivou's contract with immediate effect, adding the union did not share her views and that it categorically rejected all forms of discrimination. 'Our women's team and all players can rest assured that this will in no way impact their opportunities, representation, and continued development as integral members of Fiji Rugby,' said the FRU. '[The] FRU remains steadfast in ensuring a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment for all the Fiji Rugby Vuvale, regardless of gender, background, or identity.' Fiji Women's Rights Movement said it was 'appalled' by Naulivou's remarks. 'The notion that being gay is a 'problem' in women's rugby is deeply troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have no place in modern sports or society,' said Nalini Singh, the group's executive director, who also referenced local media reports that claimed the women's team spent a night on benches outside Sydney Airport on their way to the Dubai Sevens tournament in 2023, while the men's team slept in a nearby hotel. 'Rather than focusing your efforts on the sexuality of the players, you do your job and look for adequate funding and provide for the well-being of the women rugby players so that they don't have to sleep on benches in front of airports and walk miles to their training,' she added. Naulivou is a prominent figure on the Fiji rugby scene, having been the first captain of the women's national side and a fierce advocate for gender inclusion in the male-dominated sport. The FRU confirmed she had tried to tender her resignation following widespread backlash to her incendiary comments but decided that a 'firm stance was necessary to reinforce its commitment to upholding professional standards and safeguarding the integrity of Fiji Rugby' which led to her dismissal. The union added it was undertaking a 'rigorous and transparent selection process' to appoint a new director of rugby. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
