HIS EXCELLENCY RATU EPELI NAILATIKAU
CF, LVO, OBE (Mil), OStJ, CSM, MSD
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI
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OPENING REMARKS AT THE PRAYER BREAKFAST TO COMMEMORATE WORLD AIDS DAY
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Banyan Room, Holiday Inn Sunday, 1st December, 2013
SUVA 7.00a.m.
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• Ms Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative
• Mr Tim Rwabuhemba, Coordinator, UNAIDS
• Dr. Laurent Zessler, Director and Representative for the Pacific Sub-Regional Office
• Mrs. Una Bera, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health who is also representing the Chairman of Fiji's HIV Board
• Members of our Faith-Based Community
• Regional and Civil Society Partners
• Ms Vani Dulaki, Executive Director, FJN+
• Mrs. Sereima Vatuvatu, Chief Executive Officer of Fiji's HIV Board
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentleman

Good morning, ni sa bula vinaka, assalamualaikum, namaste,

It is for me a great pleasure to be amongst you all again. I had the privilege of meeting most, if not all of you, about this time last year when we collectively launched two key documents to help us to respond better to the issue of HIV & AIDS.

Therefore, it is only fitting that today, on World AIDS Day 2013, we come together to reflect on the actions we have taken to address the issue of HIV & AIDS in Fiji, highlight the key challenges that we face and map out a way forward to ensure that all Fijians remain HIV free and that those who are affected in any way by HIV receive the best care and support possible.

Today is also a special occasion and a unique occasion in my opinion. Unique because we have some of the distinguished members of our faith based communities commemorating world aids day with us. I would like to thank you all for being men and women of faith and for inspiring faith in all of us to prevent the spread of HIV.

We also have members from our community based organisations present with us. I would like to thank you as well for your unwavering support and for your consistent advocacy on behalf of the people living with and those affected by HIV.

Indeed we have come a long way since the first diagnosis and discovery of HIV almost three decades ago with appropriate approaches to prevent HIV infection; we have a better grasp of what needs to be done.

Fiji's latest HIV statistics continues to remind us of the need to continue to support the response to HIV and AIDS.

Whilst the global response reports a decline in new HIV infections in many countries around the world in recent years, the same is not the case for Fiji where the number of new cases has been increasing, for example, there were 43 in 2009, 33 in 2010, 54 in 2011 and 62 in 2012.

And up to June this year, there have already been 28 new cases taking the cumulative total to 508 confirmed cases since the first case in 1989.

Over 70% of the total is reported to be through heterosexual transmission, with the epidemic evidently affecting our young people with over 50% falling within the age group of 20-29. 80% of those infected are of i-Taukei origin.

These facts are undeniable. We should not be tempted to downplay the statistics and impact or to deny the reality that we face. At the same time, the epidemic is not about statistics. It is about people, about families, and communities. It is about our loved ones.

Now is not the time to lament. It is the time to act decisively, and to act together.

Looking back over the past decade, the region has made significant progress in the aids response.

National guidelines for implementing provider initiated testing and counselling, including HIV testing and counselling for the key affected populations is in place.

Implementation of prevention intervention for key populations is an essential component of national HIV control efforts.

Fiji is encouraged by the progress it has made towards its response to HIV & AIDS; I am certain that all these successes demonstrate that Fiji is taking responsibility and that by working together we can achieve much more.

We cannot however afford to be complacent for complacency is the biggest enemy to response work. So we must continue to work together.

We must use resources efficiently and improve the effectiveness of our programmes through better co-ordination and planning across departments and sectors, integrated service delivery and systematic monitoring of all aspects of our HIV and TB programmes.

We must address the needs of the key affected population including people who live with and are affected by HIV & AIDS.

Let us not forget the need to continuously increase our efforts to promote youth participation and commitment; more services aimed at youth; more parental involvement; more education and information, using schools and other sites; more protection for girls, orphaned children and young women; and more partnerships with people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Although the HIV epidemic has been identified as a profound and protracted challenge to humankind, it has taught us many lessons.

A few years ago it was almost impossible to imagine that such progress would be evident in our country, but standing here today, I can confidently say that the journey towards an AIDS-free world has begun and Fiji is definitely on the right path. Our common vision of an AIDS-free country is possible and attainable; let us continue to strive towards its realisation.

This year, we have chosen the theme of 'Zero AIDS-related Deaths'. From my discussions with people living with HIV, I understand that stigma and discrimination in relation to HIV remains a challenge which affects their access to services. This is of particular concern to me and no doubt to you as well.

We know that with proper care and with treatment, every person living with HIV will be able to enjoy a healthy and productive life.

The religious organisations play an important role in caring for those who are in need of support. You are the most trusted and are natural protectors of lives.

You have the strength to change attitudes and advocate against stigma. When someone is facing stigma and discrimination on the basis of their HIV status, i am urging you to speak out collectively because our strength is in our diversity. Together, you can make it clear that the doors of your houses of worship are open to all people coping with HIV & AIDS.

When a family or a community shuns someone because of their HIV status, you are in a position to speak out and work together with the family and the community to bring about understanding.

Our faith tells us that all human beings are equally worthy of care and therefore, you must ensure that people living with and those affected by HIV have equal access to care and support regardless of their religion, circumstances or sexual orientation.

I encourage you to consider the following to strengthen our collective efforts of support and response to HIV & AIDS;

1: Education:
• Identify resources and models for prevention education
• Strengthen HIV & AIDS prevention through family enrichment
• Enhance HIV & AIDS prevention through youth programs - building a solid foundation concerning sexuality, responsible adulthood and marriage, appreciating the youth and breaking the silence about sex



2: Advocacy:
• Campaign against stigma & discrimination
• Work together with government and other support organizations in achieving appropriate levels of cost-effective health care, especially home based care
• Seek means to protect interests of particularly women and children

3: support services:
• Provide care which involves encouraging and supporting those who are infected and affected
• Take part in providing home care which may include:
 Meeting physical needs for food, clothing, medical attention
 Assistance in planning for the future of the family particularly children

Church leaders, we cannot rest at the moment with our response to the HIV epidemic.

We can only reflect back at the successes that we have made together as leaders with the engagement of program implementers, civil society and people living with HIV. These successful steps also come with missteps along the way which we need to strengthen and improve.

I strongly believe that our religions foster tolerance, understanding and grace. Even when hearts are burdened with despair and disease, faith and compassion can bring about hope and healing. And so, we need you, our faith based members to help heal people's hearts.
My message to members of our community based organizations is that you are already making a difference in ensuring that people living with hiv and those affected by it are accepted and live a life of dignity. Continue the good work.

And, because stigma and discrimination still persist, I encourage you to work with faith-based organizations, support them, share your personal experiences to gain understanding for only through the spirit of love and compassionate care, we can prevent HIV.

The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is an unprecedented crisis and that requires an unprecedented response.

Nelson Mandela once said and I quote, "when the water starts boiling, it is foolish to turn off the heat." Unquote.

The gains on our response to HIV & AIDS are still fragile and sustainability on these gains is crucial to break the epidemic trend. Paving a pathway to end aids and reaching the 2015 millennium development goals and the high level meeting targets, is only possible if we lay out a comprehensive approach to meet the challenges of the epidemic.

We have looked back on the distance we have travelled and the journey we have taken in the response to HIV & AIDS. Leaders our journey has not ended and we cannot rest because we still have many more hills to climb.

As I speak to you today, I am keenly aware of the importance of this prayer breakfast and appreciate the prayers of everyone gathered here today for protection, guidance and strength in responding to the issue of HIV & AIDS. I am thankful to each and every one of us for taking the time to pray for the health and well-being of the people of Fiji.

I also, offer prayers of my own for each and every one gathered in this room, for God's continued blessings in helping us to prevent new HIV infections, to protect everyone from HIV related stigma and discrimination and to prevent AIDS-related deaths.

Let today be the dawn of a new era. Let there be no more shame, no more blame, no more discrimination and no more stigma.

Let this be the start of an era of openness, of taking personal responsibility, and of working together in unity to prevent HIV infections and to deal with its impact.

Working together, we can achieve these goals!

With these words, I have much pleasure in officially opening this ‘prayer breakfast this morning.

Thank you, vinaka vakalevu, shukriya, bahoot dhanyavaad.