Fiji is currently working towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which forms MDG 4, Fiji should reduce under-five deaths per 1,000 live births to ten, and increase measles immunisation to 100 per cent by 2015. In 2011 under-five mortality stood at 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, and measles immunisation at 99 per cent. While the measles target has been virtually achieved, significant progress will need to be made if Fiji is to achieve the under-five mortality element of this goal by 2015. The global MDG 5 target for maternal health is to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by threequarters between 1990 and 2015. When applying this target to Fiji, maternal mortality should fall to eight cases per 100,000 live births. In the period 2007-11 Fiji had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 23 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 26 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies/World Bank in 2010).
The maternal mortality target may be achieved if certain changes are made. Part of the goal also stipulates that 100 per cent of births must be attended by a skilled health professional. In the period 2007-12 this figure stood at 100 per cent.
MDG 6 aims for a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, malaria and other diseases. Fiji’s prevalence of HIV is low and remained consistent at 0.1 per cent in the period 1990-2009, however, the rate of HIV infections has risen to 0.2 per cent since 2009 and has remained at this level. Aside from HIV/AIDS, progress towards MDG 6 in the country is positive, with an absence of malaria and decline in estimated incidence of TB.
Fiji’s National Strategic Plan on HIV and STIs 2012-15 was established following the country’s review of its previous plan (2007-11). The strategy focuses on the priority areas of prevention; continuum of care; monitoring and evaluation; and governance, co ordination and partnerships. It aims to ensure that HIV prevention is integrated with the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), as well as more general improvements to reproductive health care, guided by regional commitments on STIs in the region and Fiji’s Reproductive Health Policy. The continuum of care will facilitate testing and treatment, recognising the need for specialised health services for key affected populations; improved integration of HIV and STI diagnoses, with reproductive health services made available to all; and the closer linking of community prevention programmes and services. An improved enabling environment, informed by the promotion of human rights and the reduction of discrimination and stigma, will support this strategy for HIV prevention, treatment and care. The plan is consistent with Fiji’s Ministry of Health’s Strategic Plan 2011-15 as well as the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV and Other STIs 2009-13.
