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RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Drug use driving HIV surge in Fiji
76.7 percent of all new infections last year were among those aged 18-34. Photo: Copyright: lightfieldstudios The United Nations says Fiji's "drug-driven" HIV surge last year, which claimed the lives of 126 people, is a "case of complacency". UNAIDS Pacific advisor Renata Ram told Pacific Waves that eight children were among those who died from HIV-related illnesses in the country last year. She said that in 2024, Fiji recorded its highest-ever annual total of HIV cases - 1583 new diagnoses - representing a 281 percent increase from 2023. "The response here in Fiji is about 15 years behind what is needed. We're still not getting testing done within a shorter period of time." She said that assessments done by the country's Health Ministry show that it takes about 22 days for a person to get their HIV results, on average. The epidemic is also getting younger: 76.7 percent of all new infections last year were among those aged 18-34, with 165 cases among 15-19 year olds, and 41 cases among children younger than 15. The main factor behind the sudden surge, with most cases concentrated in Fiji's Western Division, has been injecting drug use, Ram said. "In terms of mode of transmission, 48 percent of known modes of transmission of cases were due to injecting drug use, with around 40 percent through sexual transmission. So injecting drug use is emerging as a major health threat and it's not addressed." In the recent past, Fiji has been able to manage HIV levels through community-led programmes benefitting from donor funding. Ram says that over the past few years, a donor exodus has put more pressure on an already struggling health system. This has pushed HIV to the top of the priority list for Fiji in its pleas for aid across the developed world, with Australia adding FJ$5.7 million to a $38m package targetting health infrastructure. Ram said that New Zealand, which had an estimated two HIV-related deaths in 2024, has shown what an effective community-led approach can look like. "New Zealand was the first country in the world to start with harm reduction and needle exchange who use drugs, sex workers and young people connect better with their own communities." The government has allocated FJ$10m to tackle the country's surge in HIV/AIDS to the Ministry of Health & Medical Services in its 2025/2026 budget . This is out of the health sector's total allocation of FJ$611.6m. Ram commended this action but said that much more needs to be done. "The Fijian government has estimated the need for about 14 million Fijian dollars over the next four years to really get ahead of the curve, because it's not about only addressing the HIV outbreak, but it's also about system strengthening." Hospitals often run out of drug supplies because they underestimate the number of cases they receive thanks to quality of data, Ram said. "We're having problems with quantification, knowing how much drugs we need for people that need treatment. So this becomes an issue, and we are having lots of stock out as well. "60 percent of (deaths) were late diagnosis, so they were diagnosed and passed away within a short span of time." The Ministry of Health in Fiji has yet to release data for the 2025 year to date. The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) has raised alarm bells over these data gaps. The association's president Dr Alipate Vakamocea told FBC that the country is "flying blind" . "We are in an active outbreak. This is not normal and the issue that we have is, you know, we did that during Covid-19. It's dispersed. We declared an outbreak earlier this year. We're still referring to statistics from 2024." Minister of Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said there will be "monthly or quarterly" data updates soon.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Drug use driving HIV surge in Fij
76.7 percent of all new infections last year were among those aged 18-34. Photo: Copyright: lightfieldstudios The United Nations says Fiji's "drug-driven" HIV surge last year, which claimed the lives of 126 people, is a "case of complacency". UNAIDS Pacific advisor Renata Ram told Pacific Waves that eight children were among those who died from HIV-related illnesses in the country last year. She said that in 2024, Fiji recorded its highest-ever annual total of HIV cases - 1583 new diagnoses - representing a 281 percent increase from 2023. "The response here in Fiji is about 15 years behind what is needed. We're still not getting testing done within a shorter period of time." She said that assessments done by the country's Health Ministry show that it takes about 22 days for a person to get their HIV results, on average. The epidemic is also getting younger: 76.7 percent of all new infections last year were among those aged 18-34, with 165 cases among 15-19 year olds, and 41 cases among children younger than 15. The main factor behind the sudden surge, with most cases concentrated in Fiji's Western Division, has been injecting drug use, Ram said. "In terms of mode of transmission, 48 percent of known modes of transmission of cases were due to injecting drug use, with around 40 percent through sexual transmission. So injecting drug use is emerging as a major health threat and it's not addressed." In the recent past, Fiji has been able to manage HIV levels through community-led programmes benefitting from donor funding. Ram says that over the past few years, a donor exodus has put more pressure on an already struggling health system. This has pushed HIV to the top of the priority list for Fiji in its pleas for aid across the developed world, with Australia adding FJ$5.7 million to a $38m package targetting health infrastructure. Ram said that New Zealand, which had an estimated two HIV-related deaths in 2024, has shown what an effective community-led approach can look like. "New Zealand was the first country in the world to start with harm reduction and needle exchange who use drugs, sex workers and young people connect better with their own communities." The government has allocated FJ$10m to tackle the country's surge in HIV/AIDS to the Ministry of Health & Medical Services in its 2025/2026 budget . This is out of the health sector's total allocation of FJ$611.6m. Ram commended this action but said that much more needs to be done. "The Fijian government has estimated the need for about 14 million Fijian dollars over the next four years to really get ahead of the curve, because it's not about only addressing the HIV outbreak, but it's also about system strengthening." Hospitals often run out of drug supplies because they underestimate the number of cases they receive thanks to quality of data, Ram said. "We're having problems with quantification, knowing how much drugs we need for people that need treatment. So this becomes an issue, and we are having lots of stock out as well. "60 percent of (deaths) were late diagnosis, so they were diagnosed and passed away within a short span of time." The Ministry of Health in Fiji has yet to release data for the 2025 year to date. The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) has raised alarm bells over these data gaps. The association's president Dr Alipate Vakamocea told FBC that the country is "flying blind" . "We are in an active outbreak. This is not normal and the issue that we have is, you know, we did that during Covid-19. It's dispersed. We declared an outbreak earlier this year. We're still referring to statistics from 2024." Minister of Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said there will be "monthly or quarterly" data updates soon.
Los Angeles Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Dodgers' sparkling record masks problems exposed during series loss to Astros
When the Dodgers left Los Angeles for their final road trip before the all-star break last summer, they had a 55-36 record and a 7 1/2-game lead in the National League's Western Division. That team went on to win the World Series. When this year's Dodgers land in Milwaukee on Sunday night to begin the last road trip before the all-star break, their record will be a game better and their division lead about the same, pending the results of San Diego's game Sunday night. But if you take a good look under the hood, there are obvious — and worrying — differences between this year and last year. In 2024, the Dodgers had one of the best records in baseball against teams with a winning record. After Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros, this year's team is just a game over .500 — 20-19 — against teams over .500. Those are the only kind of teams the Dodgers will face in the playoffs. And it's not just that they lose, it's how they lose that's troubling. In losing three in a row for the first time since mid May, the Dodgers were outscored 27-8 by the Astros. The sweep was Houston's first in a three-game at Dodger Stadium since 2008, when the team played in the National League. Look a little deeper and there are other concerns. The Dodgers' injured list, already as crowded as a Beyoncé concert — it swelled to 12 players with Max Muncy's addition Thursday — could get even larger this week depending on the results of MRIs on outfielder Tesoscar Hernández and utility player Tommy Edman. Hernández, who fouled a ball off his left foot Saturday, spent 13 days on the IL with a groin problem in May and has been troubled by that injury and a nagging hip-flexor issue that could be behind a slump that has seen him hit .188/.240/.321 during his past 30 games. Edman didn't play Sunday after hitting a ball off the small toe on his right foot over the weekend. That left manager Dave Roberts with a short bench. And with the rotation still missing four starters to injury, he gave the ball to right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who had thrown just four big-innings all season. Sheehan went one better Sunday, allowing just a run on five hits over five innings. But his teammates did little against Houston starter Ryan Gusto (6-3), who gave up four hits — including a run-scoring double to Dalton Rushing — over six innings. Will Klein came on in favor of Sheehan to start the sixth and after two quick outs, the Astros loaded the bases on a double, a hit batter and an infield single. Klein then walked Zack Short on a 3-2 pitch to force in the go-ahead run. The Astros padded their lead with back-to-back homers from Christian Walker and Yainer Díaz to start the seventh off reliever Tanner Scott. Jose Altuve closed the scoring with another solo homer off Anthony Banda in the ninth.
The Province
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
The former Canucks winger has struggled to score, but has five goals in his last 10 AHL post-season games with the Checkers. Championship series opens Friday in Charlotte, N.C. Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Vancouver Canucks winger Will Lockwood during a pre-season game against Calgary last September. Photo by Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Will Lockwood scored twice for the juggernaut Charlotte Checkers in an impressive Eastern Division final sweep of the high-octane Laval Rocket to punch their AHL ticket to the Calder Cup Finals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It's not breaking news, but it's significant for the former Vancouver Canucks winger. He has five goals in his last 10 post-season games, after just 10 goals in 52 regular-season outings, and is on an expiring two-year, $1.55-million US contract with the parent Florida Panthers. The Checkers have won eight-straight playoff games, are 10-2 in the post-season, and swept their last two series. Lockwood, 26, will have extra incentive when the best-of-seven championship series against Western Division champion Abbotsford Canucks opens Friday in North Carolina. He was a third-round 2016 NHL Draft selection by the Canucks — 64th overall and 44 spots higher than an NHL Central Scouting projection — but never gained traction in Vancouver or Florida. He has two assists in 52 career games. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lockwood managed just one assist in 28 outings over three NHL seasons here, but did have 12 goals with Abbotsford in 26 games during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023 for underwhelming winger Vitali Kravtsov, who managed just one goal in 16 NHL games before the restricted free agent returned to the KHL. The pressure to perform in hockey-mad Vancouver got to a lot of prospects. For Lockwood, it was a combination of tailoring his game to the NHL and trying to be a feisty fourth-line fit. It was a physical grind and mental challenge amid roster additions. He even fought to gain attention. Feisty Vancouver Canucks winger Will Lockwood took on Noah Gregor of the San Jose Sharks in an April 9, 2022 scrap at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain / USA TODAY Sports 'I had people coming up to me and saying, 'They're picking up this guy and this guy.' I didn't have any idea,' Lockwood told Postmedia. 'You have to focus on controlling what you can. It's a business. The team wants to win, and you have to understand that. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm not going to score from the top of the circle or beat a goalie with a clear shot all the time. If I can get to those dirty areas, I'll produce.' Former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau said, 'He's got great speed, great tenacity, and for a not overly big guy, he hits real hard. If you give him enough ice time, like he had in the AHL to score goals, it will build his confidence.' Fast forward, and if this it how it ends for Lockwood in his latest adventure — hosting the Calder Cup trophy — then he'll probably take it, although he would like to keep playing. The same goes for former Canucks winger Aidan McDonough, 25, and centre Zac Dalpe, 35, who serves as Checkers captain. McDonough, a 2019 seventh-round selection by Vancouver, has yet to play this post-season. He had 10 goals in 16 games in a regular-season shortened by a leg injury. With the Canucks, he had one goal in six games, 11 goals in 58 games with Abbotsford, and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dalpe is on the same expiring deal as Lockwood and played just nine regular-season games and none in the playoffs. He was acquired by the Canucks in a trade and had seven points (3-4) in 55 games in 2013-14. Abbotsford goaltender Arturs Silovs salutes fans after backstopping a 4-2 win over Texas Stars on Sunday to advance to Calder Cup Finals. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Charlotte and Abbotsford have much more in common this season. The Checkers went 44-22-3-3 for 94 regular-season points, same total as Abbotsford, and it included a franchise record 13-game win streak. The Checkers have trailed by several goals just twice this post-season, and after leading the AHL with 16 short-handed goals in the regular season, they have six in 11 playoff games. Charlotte had the league's top-rated penalty kill in the regular season at 86.6 per cent, and Abbotsford was 17th at 82.5 per cent. However, in the post-season, the Canucks are 90.6 and the Checkers 90.2 on the kill. Same story on the power play. Charlotte was 21.2 per cent and Abbotsford 18.3, but in the playoffs, the Canucks are 22 per cent and the Checkers are just seven per cent. The biggest factor in the series could be between the pipes. Arturs Silovs and Kaapo Kahkonen have put on a post-season show. Silovs is 12-5 with a 1.94 goals-against average, .929 saves percentage and five shutouts. He's one shutout shy from equalling the AHL record set by former Canucks stopper Mika Noronen. He established it while backstopping Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Kahkonen is 10-2 with a 1.73 GAA, .927 saves percentage and one shutout. bkuzma@ Local News News News Vancouver Canucks News
Vancouver Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
Will Lockwood scored twice for the juggernaut Charlotte Checkers in an impressive Eastern Division final sweep of the high-octane Laval Rocket to punch their AHL ticket to the Calder Cup Finals. It's not breaking news, but it's significant for the former Vancouver Canucks winger. He has five goals in his last 10 post-season games, after just 10 goals in 52 regular-season outings, and is on an expiring two-year, $1.55-million US contract with the parent Florida Panthers. The Checkers have won eight-straight playoff games, are 10-2 in the post-season, and swept their last two series. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Lockwood, 26, will have extra incentive when the best-of-seven championship series against Western Division champion Abbotsford Canucks opens Friday in North Carolina. He was a third-round 2016 NHL Draft selection by the Canucks — 64th overall and 44 spots higher than an NHL Central Scouting projection — but never gained traction in Vancouver or Florida. He has two assists in 52 career games. Lockwood managed just one assist in 28 outings over three NHL seasons here, but did have 12 goals with Abbotsford in 26 games during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023 for underwhelming winger Vitali Kravtsov, who managed just one goal in 16 NHL games before the restricted free agent returned to the KHL. The pressure to perform in hockey-mad Vancouver got to a lot of prospects. For Lockwood, it was a combination of tailoring his game to the NHL and trying to be a feisty fourth-line fit. It was a physical grind and mental challenge amid roster additions. He even fought to gain attention. 'I had people coming up to me and saying, 'They're picking up this guy and this guy.' I didn't have any idea,' Lockwood told Postmedia. 'You have to focus on controlling what you can. It's a business. The team wants to win, and you have to understand that. 'I'm not going to score from the top of the circle or beat a goalie with a clear shot all the time. If I can get to those dirty areas, I'll produce.' Former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau said, 'He's got great speed, great tenacity, and for a not overly big guy, he hits real hard. If you give him enough ice time, like he had in the AHL to score goals, it will build his confidence.' Fast forward, and if this it how it ends for Lockwood in his latest adventure — hosting the Calder Cup trophy — then he'll probably take it, although he would like to keep playing. The same goes for former Canucks winger Aidan McDonough, 25, and centre Zac Dalpe, 35, who serves as Checkers captain. McDonough, a 2019 seventh-round selection by Vancouver, has yet to play this post-season. He had 10 goals in 16 games in a regular-season shortened by a leg injury. With the Canucks, he had one goal in six games, 11 goals in 58 games with Abbotsford, and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer. Dalpe is on the same expiring deal as Lockwood and played just nine regular-season games and none in the playoffs. He was acquired by the Canucks in a trade and had seven points (3-4) in 55 games in 2013-14. Charlotte and Abbotsford have much more in common this season. The Checkers went 44-22-3-3 for 94 regular-season points, same total as Abbotsford, and it included a franchise record 13-game win streak. The Checkers have trailed by several goals just twice this post-season, and after leading the AHL with 16 short-handed goals in the regular season, they have six in 11 playoff games. Charlotte had the league's top-rated penalty kill in the regular season at 86.6 per cent, and Abbotsford was 17th at 82.5 per cent. However, in the post-season, the Canucks are 90.6 and the Checkers 90.2 on the kill. Same story on the power play. Charlotte was 21.2 per cent and Abbotsford 18.3, but in the playoffs, the Canucks are 22 per cent and the Checkers are just seven per cent. The biggest factor in the series could be between the pipes. Arturs Silovs and Kaapo Kahkonen have put on a post-season show. Silovs is 12-5 with a 1.94 goals-against average, .929 saves percentage and five shutouts. He's one shutout shy from equalling the AHL record set by former Canucks stopper Mika Noronen. He established it while backstopping Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Kahkonen is 10-2 with a 1.73 GAA, .927 saves percentage and one shutout. bkuzma@
