The Ministry of Education is working on a draft policy on HIV and AIDS for schools in the country to be implemented sometimes next year.
Speaking at the consultation workshop held in Suva this morning, the Education Ministry deputy secretary professional, Ms Rokobua Naiyaga said the policy was critical in providing a framework to guide the ministry to ensure effective prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS.
MS Naiyaga said the growing statistics on HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections in Fiji led the Ministry of Education through the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) to pursue the development of such a policy.
“Currently, Fiji has a cumulative figure of 366 HIV positive cases- an additional 12 cases to the 354 from 1989 to July 10, 2010,” Mrs Naiyaga said.
“As of the 354 HIV positive cases 97.18 per cent are in the age group of 0 to 49 year-olds and these are normally the age group of students and teachers.
“There is 52 per cent young people in the age group of 10 to 29 years and this is an increase of 4 per cent from the 2009 figure.”
She said this age group covered young people who were attending schools, both secondary and tertiary institutions.
From 1989 to the past decade, Fiji has passed the slow burning stage of the disease.
“The trend now is that in the past four to five years, Fiji is in the proliferative and escalating phase of the diseases,” Mrs Naiyaga said.
The Ministry of Health reports that Fiji has one of the highest Chlamydia (sexually transmitted infections/STIs) cases in the Pacific.
There were a total of 2785 STIs reported cases in 2009 while the year after, 2387 cases were reported.
The Education Ministry’s vision for 2012-2014 is “Quality Education for Change, Peace and Prosperity” and part of its strategic plan is to ensure the safety and protection of children from social, health and developmental issues such as HIV and AIDS.
“The policy ensures the appropriate care, treatment of officers, students and school personnel living with HIV & AIDS. It also ensures the provision of a systematic and consistent information and educational material on HIV & AIDS throughout the educational system,” Ms Naiyaga said.
This was the final consultation with key stakeholders on the draft HIV and AIDS policy for schools, which was funded by the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, Ms Naiyaga said the consultation was a build up to the commemoration of World AIDS Day tomorrow, December 1.