Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says contrary to concerns raised by Fiji Medical Association president Dr Alipate Vakamocea, they have sufficient HIV test kits available in stock.

Dr Vakamocea this week raised the alarm on escalating HIV cases and called on the Ministry to declare an outbreak, while also claiming the ministry was on the brink of facing a shortage of HIV testing kits, which could undermine efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

However, Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu stated they have adequate stock but in the same breath, said the ministry is facing challenges in terms of procurement.

He said they were working with the relevant ministries to ensure a consistent supply of the kits.

[Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu]

“So, like procurement issues, we buy everything from overseas. So, in that sense, it will always be a challenge. So, what the ministry has done is try to improve our procurement process in talks with the Minister of Finance and other relevant ministries. But nevertheless, we have been briefed that we have adequate supplies.”

Dr. Vakamocea believes that if an epidemic-level response is initiated by the Ministry, Fiji can get access to much-needed testing kits from donor partners.

“So it’s not just the testing kits, it’s the confirmatory test as well. That also, I believe it’s finished now. So we don’t have that, we don’t have drugs, and we don’t even have, the strategy still hasn’t been finalized, the surge response. So everything is happening very, very slowly.”

UNAIDS Country Director Renata Ram said that they will assist in facilitating the requisition of medical stock, but only at the request of the Health Ministry.

[UNAIDS Country Director Renata Ram]

Ram said UNAIDS actually supports the coordination of HIV services and in the event if Fiji faces stock issues they will work with partners to try and help the Health Ministry get medication in.

UNAIDS has also taken on the initiative to try and get HIV anti-retroviral drugs into the country.

The FMA has called on communities and organizations to lend their support by advocating for increased resources and awareness to combat the HIV crisis.