Pacific leaders call for action on HIV, tuberculosis, and medicine access

Health officials and community advocates in the Pacific are calling for urgent responses to rising HIV cases, tuberculosis, and limited access to essential medicines.

In the Solomon Islands, Minister for Health and Medical Services Morris Toiraena addressed the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila. He emphasized the need for improved availability, affordability, and reliability of health products, particularly for Small Island Developing States with dispersed populations. Toiraena also highlighted the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and the necessity of equitable access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.

In Fiji, Kalesi Valatabu raised concerns regarding leadership gaps in addressing the HIV and drug-related crises. During public consultations on the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill in Labasa, Valatabu argued that existing leadership structures may not adequately represent the needs of vulnerable communities. She called for greater grassroots engagement and accountability to ensure that ordinary citizens, particularly women, have a voice in addressing these pressing social challenges.