13 Oct 2003

Fiji develops national strategic plan to combat HIV/AIDSandSTDs

4:14 pm on 13 October 2003

The deputy director of public health in Fiji says the government is fully committed to putting an end to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases in youth.

Dr Timaima Tuiketei says this is being tackled in a national strategic plan to combat HIV/AIDs.

Dr Tuiketei says the government is aware of the problem.

"We've got top level government commitment from the prime minister, from the First Lady and from the other main institutional bodies, and just last week we completed a national strategic plan on HIV/AIDS for 2004 to 2006 - we're just finalising it this week."

Dr Tuiketei says there are eight priority areas in the plan which cover the prevention of infection, care and treatment, voluntary testing and clinical management.

The strategic plan will be put to cabinet shortly.