CoveragePost
March 31, 2026
By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ratu Antonio Lalabalavu has defended the government’s handling of the country’s HIV crisis. HIV is surging in Fiji with at least 9000 people — or nearly one percent of the population — reported to be now infected. There are concerns that the real figure ... <a title="‘We’re doing something about it’ – Fiji’s health minister defends HIV response" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/31/were-doing-something-about-it-fijis-health-minister-defends-hiv-response/" aria-label="Read more about ‘We’re doing something about it’ – Fiji’s health minister defends HIV response">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
June 6, 2025
By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services has revealed the latest HIV numbers in the country to a development partner roundtable discussing the national response. The minister reported 490 new HIV cases between October and December last year, bringing the 2024 total to 1583. “Included in this number ... <a title="‘HIV shouldn’t be death sentence in Fiji’ – call for testing amid outbreak" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/06/hiv-shouldnt-be-death-sentence-in-fiji-call-for-testing-amid-outbreak/" aria-label="Read more about ‘HIV shouldn’t be death sentence in Fiji’ – call for testing amid outbreak">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 24, 2025
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services has declared an HIV outbreak. Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu announced 1093 new HIV cases from the period of January to September 2024. “This declaration reflects the alarming reality that HIV is evolving faster than our current services can cater for,” he said. “We need the ... <a title="‘Entire Pacific region at risk’, says UNAIDS on Fiji HIV outbreak" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/24/entire-pacific-region-at-risk-says-unaids-on-fiji-hiv-outbreak/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Entire Pacific region at risk’, says UNAIDS on Fiji HIV outbreak">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 30, 2023
By Pauliasi Mateboto in Suva One in 50 Fijian children could have rheumatic heart disease and children between the ages of five to 15 years are the most at risk of rheumatic fever. While revealing these alarming statistics, Health Secretary Dr James Fong revealed the high figures indicated the high screening conducted by the ministry, ... <a title="1 in 50 Fijian children may have rheumatic heart disease, says health chief" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/30/1-in-50-fijian-children-may-have-rheumatic-heart-disease-says-health-chief/" aria-label="Read more about 1 in 50 Fijian children may have rheumatic heart disease, says health chief">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 27, 2022
By Luke Rawalai in Suva Fiji has recorded 987 covid-19 cases, says Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr James Fong who says the latest deaths are a “stark reminder” of the seriousness of the pandemic. Fiji’s government reported on Monday 11 more people had died from covid-19, including a four-month-old girl and 15-year-old boy. Dr ... <a title="Fiji deaths ‘a stark reminder’ of the seriousness of the pandemic" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/01/27/fiji-deaths-a-stark-reminder-of-the-seriousness-of-the-pandemic/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji deaths ‘a stark reminder’ of the seriousness of the pandemic">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 10, 2022
By Rohit Deo in Suva Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported 1280 new covid-19 community cases since the last update on January 5. “We have recorded a total of 1280 new cases; of which 348 new cases were recorded on 06/01/2022, 320 new cases were recorded on 07/01/2022 and 612 new cases ... <a title="Fiji’s Health Ministry reports 1280 new covid-19 cases and five deaths" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/01/10/fijis-health-ministry-reports-1280-new-covid-19-cases-and-five-deaths/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji’s Health Ministry reports 1280 new covid-19 cases and five deaths">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 10, 2022
By Christine Rovoi, RNZ Pacific journalist The Australian government is assisting its citizens stranded in Fiji who also claimed they were mistreated by locals — claims rejects by tourism authorities — after testing positive to covid-19 when they arrived in the country on Boxing Day. The move follows claims by an Australian family that they ... <a title="Fiji denies tourist’s claims of covid ‘nightmare’ mistreatment by locals" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/01/10/fiji-denies-tourists-claims-of-covid-nightmare-mistreatment-by-locals/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji denies tourist’s claims of covid ‘nightmare’ mistreatment by locals">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 7, 2022
By Josefa Babitu in Suva Fiji is bracing for a third wave of the covid-19 virus after tests have confirmed the presence of the omicron variant in local communities. The country’s Health Secretary Dr James Fong said today the ministry was prioritising testing of suspected individuals to prevent severe illness and death and to focus ... <a title="Fiji braces for pandemic third wave as omicron cases found in community" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2022/01/07/fiji-braces-for-pandemic-third-wave-as-omicron-cases-found-in-community/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji braces for pandemic third wave as omicron cases found in community">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 7, 2021
RNZ Pacific Health authorities in Fiji have confirmed two people who had arrived in the country from southern Africa last month have now tested positive to the omicron variant of covid-19. The pair travelled to Fiji from Nigeria on November 25. They both tested positive to covid-19 while in a border quarantine facility. Health Secretary ... <a title="Two Fijians from Nigeria test positive for omicron variant" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/12/07/two-fijians-from-nigeria-test-positive-for-omicron-variant/" aria-label="Read more about Two Fijians from Nigeria test positive for omicron variant">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
October 25, 2021
RNZ Pacific With most of its eligible adult population covered, Fiji’s covid-19 vaccine rollout for teenagers is gaining pace. The Health Ministry said 28,965 children aged 15 to 17 had received a first vaccine dose — and 3892 teenagers had received a second. The rollout was recently extended to this age bracket after vaccination rates ... <a title="Fiji vaccination of teens going strong after adult rollout success" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/10/25/fiji-vaccination-of-teens-going-strong-after-adult-rollout-success/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji vaccination of teens going strong after adult rollout success">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2021
By Timoci Vula in Suva Fiji’s Ministry of Health’s clinical scoping team on the remote southern island of Kadavu has begun to put together a response plan to help escalate its response to an expected wave of severe covid-19 infections and deaths. On Friday, a total of 47 cases were recorded outside the main island ... <a title="Fijian clinical team puts together response plan for covid-hit Kadavu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/08/24/fijian-clinical-team-puts-together-response-plan-for-covid-hit-kadavu/" aria-label="Read more about Fijian clinical team puts together response plan for covid-hit Kadavu">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 18, 2021
RNZ Pacific More than 800 cases of covid-19 have been reported in Fiji for the last 48 hours to 8am on Monday and the first case in the north has been reported. The Fiji government also confirmed 26 deaths, bringing the toll to 394. That compares with 958 cases and 23 deaths in the previous ... <a title="More than 800 new Fiji covid cases, 26 deaths in 48 hours" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2021/08/18/more-than-800-new-fiji-covid-cases-26-deaths-in-48-hours/" aria-label="Read more about More than 800 new Fiji covid cases, 26 deaths in 48 hours">Read more</a>
