Xinhua News Agency (05.28.12) - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saying that Asia-Pacific's AIDS response "has reached a
critical juncture," the president of Fiji on Monday launched
an HIV/AIDS awareness week. "Today, we have a chance to end
this epidemic through zero new HIV infections, zero
discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths," Ratu Epeli
Nailatikau said. "We should advance human rights and gender
equality, have a committed political leadership, strong
national ownership and partnership, and everyone should be
included in this advocacy of HIV/AIDS." Official data show
Fiji recorded 54 new HIV cases in 2011, the highest annual
number since tracking began in 1989. Fiji last year spent US
$28,500 to acquire antiretrovirals, which are given free to
patients. This year, Fiji has set aside US $51,400 to purchase
the drugs.