
The health crisis pushed by a drug crisis
'It does worry me. We have all the risk factors in all the countries that could be another possible crisis like what's happening in Fiji,' says Renata Ram, whose work covers 14 Pacific Island countries.
She says testing of HIV around the Pacific Islands is poor, so they don't have a clear picture of the scale of the problem, but several countries including Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga have reported an increasing number of cases.
Last year, Fiji had 1583 new cases.
'This is the highest total that they've ever seen. It's a 281 percent increase from 2023,' says Ram.
And while free, life-saving treatment is available, barriers including delays in receiving results, a mobile population, spread-out geography and a stigma about the disease all play in to a relatively low uptake of treatment.
Ram has been working for UNAIDS since 2017, and says the landscape has changed in that time.
'The HIV epidemic was largely driven by sexual transmission; however in early 2019 we started hearing sporadic cases of injecting drug use and domestic drug use, due to all this drug trafficking that was happening through Fiji.'
One practice that has received a lot of attention and blame for spreading the virus is called 'bluetoothing', where one person, after getting a hit, withdraws their blood and shares it with other people. It's a high-risk way of 'sharing' a high, which experts say doesn't work.
It comes with a high risk of contracting various blood-borne diseases, including HIV.
But Ram says this has been overblown.
'There's been a lot of sensationalisation aroud bluetoothing, but it's not the main way people who use drugs actually consume their drugs. It's a very small percentage of people who actually do this.
'Sharing needles is the main cause.'
Ram says that, of the data they are able to get, about 48 percent of people in Fiji have contracted HIV through injecting drugs, compared to about 43 percent from sexual transmission. (There were also 32 cases last year of mother-to-child transmission.)
It's clear that behind the HIV crisis is a drug crisis.
And behind the drug crisis is a change in the way that drug trafficking through Fiji works.
On today's episode of The Detail, an expert in transnational crime explains how drug trafficking through Fiji has changed in the past several years to depend more on local syndicates, and the effect this is having on Fiji's drug use and resulting HIV rates.
José Sousa-Santos, lead and convenor of the Pacific Regional Security Hub at the University of Canterbury, says drugs come through the Pacific Islands to New Zealand and Australia, which, despite being small markets, have some of the highest prices, due to tight control of the market.
But when local traffickers are paid in drugs instead of cash, they need a local market to sell to.
'It's not the larger cartels that are looking at getting the local populations addicted, it's the smaller regional syndicates, the national syndicates, which can now really profit from these local markets.
'This creates ' foot soldiers' who help move drugs through.
'It leads us to see the road map toward Fiji in the future – if this is not addressed urgently – becoming a semi narco state … where the syndicates and the cartels have undue and strong influence over the state itself and where the government will struggle to maintain law enforcement,' he says.
Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scoop
16 hours ago
- Scoop
UC Launches New Degree To Meet Needs Of New Zealand's Health Sector
Press Release – University of Canterbury The new Bachelor of Health will support New Zealands most pressing health challenges and focus on employability and flexibility for graduates who will contribute to improvement health outcomes. Developed in close consultation with partners from across the health system and community organisations, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)'s new qualification reflects a broader, more holistic understanding of health. Reinforcing the University's reputation of delivering highly-skilled, work-ready graduates, the programme equips students with the knowledge and practical experience to meet growing demand for a wide range of roles across the health sector – from public health to wellbeing, mental health. nutrition, exercise and policy. 'Roughly 80% of health outcomes are shaped by factors outside the clinical care system, by factors like housing, nutrition, education and social connection. We wanted a degree that reflects this reality and prepares students to lead in these areas,' says Executive Dean Health Associate Professor Cathy Andrew. 'The degree incorporates a small core set of papers allowing students to make a custom-designed degree that meets their interests, including the option of a double-major.' Positive feedback from both graduates and employers endorses the third-year internship. 'Making the internship an integral part of the programme ensures our graduates are not only job-ready but have already contributed meaningfully to health outcomes in their communities.' Graduate Jemma Dalley said taking the internship as an elective during her study has been invaluable for her career, 'During my internship with the New Zealand Health Education Association, I created a teaching resource on Te Whare Tapa Whā, developing curriculum-aligned lessons, creative learning activities, and strong planning and facilitation skills. The experience gave me work ready skills, valuable connections, boosted my confidence as a kaiako [teacher], and continues to shape my teaching practice today.' The structure also accommodates students transferring from other universities says Associate Professor Andrew. 'In the past, students coming to UC from other health science programmes could only credit some of their courses. Now, with a Health Science major available, UC can better recognise prior study. The Bachelor of Health is designed to allow students to pursue additional certifications such as Associate Registered Nutritionist or membership with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners' Association Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ), further enhancing their employability and professional recognition. The degree supports a wide variety of career paths including Health Protection Officer, Health Communication Specialist, Mental Health and Addictions Practitioner, Public Health Policy Analyst, and more. It also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study or graduate entry pathways into in nursing, medicine, psychology, and other professional health fields. Students can tailor their degree with a choice of eight majors, including: Public Health Health Education Psychology Māori and Indigenous Health Mental Health and Addictions Health Science Exercise and Sport Nutrition Physical Activity and Wellbeing The new Bachelor of Health responds to a growing national demand for health professionals with a strong understanding of health and wellbeing determinants but who do not require full clinical registration. These roles include youth workers, healthcare assistants, support workers, community health workers. 'New Zealand's workforce of unregulated health workers has more than doubled over the past decade, with increasing roles in mental health, primary care, and community health settings,' says Associate Professor Andrew. Launching in 2026, future students can apply for the new Bachelor of Health here.


Scoop
17 hours ago
- Scoop
UC Launches New Degree To Meet Needs Of New Zealand's Health Sector
Developed in close consultation with partners from across the health system and community organisations, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)'s new qualification reflects a broader, more holistic understanding of health. Reinforcing the University's reputation of delivering highly-skilled, work-ready graduates, the programme equips students with the knowledge and practical experience to meet growing demand for a wide range of roles across the health sector – from public health to wellbeing, mental health. nutrition, exercise and policy. 'Roughly 80% of health outcomes are shaped by factors outside the clinical care system, by factors like housing, nutrition, education and social connection. We wanted a degree that reflects this reality and prepares students to lead in these areas,' says Executive Dean Health Associate Professor Cathy Andrew. 'The degree incorporates a small core set of papers allowing students to make a custom-designed degree that meets their interests, including the option of a double-major.' Positive feedback from both graduates and employers endorses the third-year internship. "Making the internship an integral part of the programme ensures our graduates are not only job-ready but have already contributed meaningfully to health outcomes in their communities.' Graduate Jemma Dalley said taking the internship as an elective during her study has been invaluable for her career, 'During my internship with the New Zealand Health Education Association, I created a teaching resource on Te Whare Tapa Whā, developing curriculum-aligned lessons, creative learning activities, and strong planning and facilitation skills. The experience gave me work ready skills, valuable connections, boosted my confidence as a kaiako [teacher], and continues to shape my teaching practice today.' The structure also accommodates students transferring from other universities says Associate Professor Andrew. 'In the past, students coming to UC from other health science programmes could only credit some of their courses. Now, with a Health Science major available, UC can better recognise prior study. The Bachelor of Health is designed to allow students to pursue additional certifications such as Associate Registered Nutritionist or membership with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners' Association Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ), further enhancing their employability and professional recognition. The degree supports a wide variety of career paths including Health Protection Officer, Health Communication Specialist, Mental Health and Addictions Practitioner, Public Health Policy Analyst, and more. It also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study or graduate entry pathways into in nursing, medicine, psychology, and other professional health fields. Students can tailor their degree with a choice of eight majors, including: Public Health Health Education Psychology Māori and Indigenous Health Mental Health and Addictions Health Science Exercise and Sport Nutrition Physical Activity and Wellbeing The new Bachelor of Health responds to a growing national demand for health professionals with a strong understanding of health and wellbeing determinants but who do not require full clinical registration. These roles include youth workers, healthcare assistants, support workers, community health workers. 'New Zealand's workforce of unregulated health workers has more than doubled over the past decade, with increasing roles in mental health, primary care, and community health settings,' says Associate Professor Andrew. Launching in 2026, future students can apply for the new Bachelor of Health here.


Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Pacific Security And Health Leaders Pledge Cooperation
A conference of Pacific security and health leaders concluded in Suva last week with the promise to "collaborate more" on a drug crisis spiralling out of control. But public health experts say that law enforcement are undermining efforts to combat the drug-driven spread of HIV in Fiji, putting the wider region at risk. This comes at a time when transmission of the disease has risen to levels only surpassed by the Philippines within the Asia-Pacific region, according to UNAIDS. National HIV Response Taskforce chair Dr Jason Mitchell believes Fiji is still far behind where they need to be in terms of detection and prevention measures. "I think a lot of times when we are trying to introduce strong public health interventions, there's opposition, oftentimes from our law enforcement agencies." Dr Mitchell told RNZ Pacific that progressive prevention measures, such as needle and syringe programmes, are often opposed at all levels of Pacific governments. "There may be legislation that they are often expected to uphold. They could also be responding to the public or political sentiments around drugs and drug users." Speaking at the recent Pacific Regional and National Security Conference 2025, held in Suva, Dr Mitchell said that the growing drug trade in the Pacific is driving the spread of HIV. "About 50 percent of people who were infected with HIV last year were as a result of intravenous drug use" UN: 'Of course' police don't help According to a new UNAIDS report, "Aids, Crisis and the Power to Transform" Fiji stands out in all the worst ways. "Since 2014, number of new HIV infections in Fiji has risen by an alarming 10-fold. UNAIDS estimates that in 2014, there were fewer than 500 people living with HIV in Fiji. Just 10 years later, that number was 5900." That rate, according to the report puts Fiji above Papua New Guinea, the previous regional leaders, to the second fastest transmission rate in the Asia-Pacific, behind only the Philippines. The report further acknowledges that given people struggle to access support services where their case would be recorded, these estimates could fall short. "In 2024, only 36 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji were aware of their HIV status, and only 24 percent were receiving treatment." When asked whether law enforcement in Fiji hinders public health efforts, UNAIDS head Renata Ram said yes. "In the Pacific, law enforcement policies can sometimes create significant barriers to effective HIV prevention, particularly for key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who use drugs." "The criminalisation of these populations in many Pacific Island countries contributes to increased stigma and discrimination, driving them further away from essential health and HIV services." Ram said that colonial-era laws that continue to criminalise same-sex relations, sex work and drug possession are causing HIV-infected persons to avoid seeking help. "Punitive drug laws and the lack of protective legal environments for vulnerable populations hinder the implementation and scale-up of high-impact interventions, such as needle-syringe programmes and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)." Collaboration needed on all fronts Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said at the conference that he and Dr Mitchell are finding time to sit down and have a chat. "It's more befitting for us to have more conference in regards to this, so that we can know what's happening in other countries, share information, look into the success stories of other countries, and how can we ourselves learn from what other countries are doing well." Tudravu said they have to fight a war on two fronts: trying to hold back the spread of drugs internally, while stopping the flow of drugs into the country from the wider Pacific. "We share information, we share resources, and we help each other... but having said that Pacific islands are limited to the resources that we have, so we need the partners that are out there, our bigger brothers, to come on board, because what we are doing in the Pacific also affects them." Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime's head of the Pacific programme Virginia Comolli told RNZ Pacific that a transnational operation, with shared resources and the help of Australia and New Zealand, would give police the space to make changes internally. "This is certainly a law enforcement issue that requires involvement of the police and customs, etc, but it also requires these security actors to cooperate closely with doctors, with public health practitioners, with mental health specialists." Comolli said she was impressed with how open and frank the police leaders were. "They are the first ones to say they cannot fight this challenge alone... who would admit that capabilities within law enforcement aren't always up to scratch." "They also highlighted how legislation needs to be to be updated in order to be on par with these emerging challenges in the introduction of new illicit substances. So I think there was lots of honesty there."