The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Honourable Sakiusa Tubuna met with UNAIDS Regional Director Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia- Mr. Eamonn Murphy, and UNAIDS HIV Adviser for Fiji Ms. Renata Ram to discuss issues of concern regarding the visible HIV/AIDS epidemic in Fiji.
UNAIDS has elevated its response by placing its senior staff within the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in convening UN system support for Fiji in light of the current statistics in terms of per capita infection support and the need to increase resource support and expertise.
Mr. Murphy commended the Fiji Government for recognising the reality of the issue in Fiji and looks forward to working with the relevant stakeholders to put in place action policies and programs to support the alleviation and eradication of HIV/AIDS.
Honourable Tubuna reiterated the need for a whole of Government approach in tackling HIV/AIDS, and other related social issues and the need to educate people about the different medical options that are available regarding the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Discussions focused on the epidemic status of HIV/AIDS in Fiji, its relation to the prevalent drug issue that Fiji currently faces, and possible means to assist the battle against the epidemic.
