In Fiji, an HIV epidemic fueled by the rise of a synthetic drug

In the Melanesian archipelago of Fiji, community spaces are vital, yet the issue of HIV remains taboo. The country faces one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics globally, with new infections increasing twelvefold from 2010 to 2025. On September 16, the government declared a national emergency to address this crisis. Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu emphasized the need for an urgent and coordinated response. Additionally, the rise of methamphetamine use, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, has further complicated the situation, affecting all social classes across the 322 islands.