SUVA (FM96/PINA) — As Fiji tries to take in the news that a whole family has contracted the deadly AIDS virus, the realities of HIV/AIDS in Fiji are hitting home.
Health sources say this case was only detected when the youngest member of the family, a three-year-old boy, was admitted to hospital in critical condition. Hopes are dim as the sick toddler’s life slowly ebbs away.
The child, together with his other brother, is HIV positive. They contracted the virus from their mother who had acquired it from her husband.
Prominent Dr. Sachida Mudaliar says the deadly virus should have been detected during her pregnancy.
Health Ministry officials are tight-lipped.
However, the sexually transmitted infection clinic advises people to be responsible and always practice safe sex. They also advise people that HIV can be passed to a baby if the father or mother gets the virus.
Fiji has 85 reported HIV/AIDS cases.
