Fiji Network Plus

Celebrating a step forward in HIV Peer Counseling Program. Today’s Peer Counseling Toolkit Awareness session with MSP Lautoka staff and Peer Outreach Workers (POWs) was more than just a presentation, it was a powerful reminder that real change happens when experience meets passion.

Thanks to the proactive efforts of our Western Peer Counselling Program focal person, Ms. Kubunavanua, for her initiative in preparing for the upcoming rollout in the Western Division, we witnessed firsthand how peer-led support can foster resilience, empathy, and hope.

"For many of us, peer counseling is rooted in personal stories and lived experiences that cultivate genuine, non-judgmental connections. "Today, sharing the toolkit wasn’t just about introducing a resource, it was about embodying a model of care built on compassion, mutual understanding, and community strength" as stated by Ms. Kubunavanua

The enthusiasm and openness from MSP staff and POWs reaffirm that peer-led initiatives are vital in enhancing our health and wellbeing services. "When passion and experience unite, they inspire change, empower communities, and remind us all that healing begins with someone saying, I understand, because I’ve been there too.” - Ms. Kubunavanua.

Thank you to the Medical Services Pacific Lautoka team and POWs for embracing this journey and recognizing the incredible value of peer counseling. Also, special thanks to Health Equity Matters, Burnet Institute and SRH and HIV Unit Fiji for their consistent support of the Fiji HIV Peer Counseling program. Together, we are paving the way for stronger, healthier communities.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

As members of the People Living with HIV community, we want you to know that PREVENTION IS POSSIBLE and YOUR HEALTH MATTERS!.... PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a safe, effective medication that can help prevent HIV when taken as prescribed. If you're HIV-negative and at risk, PrEP offers a way to stay protected and take control of your sexual health.

Remember, YOU'RE NOT ALONE ON THIS JOURNEY.
Healthcare professionals at your nearest S*xual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Clinic are here to SUPPORT YOU!, they’ll provide counselling, HIV testing, and assess your eligibility for PrEP.

Let’s work together to build healthier communities and end new HIV infections in Fiji.
Visit OUR;
📍 LABASA SRH Central/Eastern S*xual & Reproductive Health Clinic
📍 SUVA SRH Central/Eastern S*xual & Reproductive Health Clinic📍 LAUTOKA SRH Central/Eastern S*xual & Reproductive Health Clinic📍 Medical Services Pacific (MSP) Labasa, Lautoka, or Suva

Your health, your future, TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Fiji Network Plus (FJN+) team would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Chai and Chat Fiji for the incredible invitation to last night's event. It was truly a night of empowerment, support, and strengthening community collaboration.

We truly applaud the incredible effort put in by the team to make the event a resounding success. It was inspiring to witness everyone coming together, enjoying themselves, and feeling empowered through the warmth and camaraderie demonstrated by such a remarkable group.

FJN+ was honored to be recognized as one of the organizations invited to participate. We are also thrilled to see the availability of vital HIV information, condoms which were available at the site last night, and the PrEP app which greatly facilitates user-friendly access to services and raises awareness among key populations. A big thank you to the Fiji Government Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji, SRH and HIV Unit Fiji, UNAIDS, UNDP, and all other partners for their unwavering commitment to ensuring these PrEP services are accessible to our communities.

FJN+ would like to encourage our key population LEAD to share this important PrEP app with community members so they can start applying for their medications, especially in situations that may put them at risk of HIV. Remember, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken consistently as prescribed.

Together, we can continue to make strides in HIV prevention and support our communities. Thank you once again, CHAI & CHAT FIJI, for the warm invitation and for championing these vital initiatives during Pride Month!

New podcast alert! 🎧 https://bit.ly/4fnDJtj 🎧

In this HIV Australia podcast, we’re joined by Harrison Sarasola, Manager, HIV and Community Health Programs at Health Equity Matters, to discuss the Peer-led Contact Tracing pilot project.

We unpack the rationale behind a peer-led approach, how the model evolved from its original design and the realities of implementing it within complex health system structures.

We also explore what this could mean for the future of HIV contact tracing in Australia.

NAPWHA | Scarlet Alliance - Australian S*x Workers Association | Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League - AIVL | Queensland Council for LGBTI Health - QC | ACON | Meridian ACT | TasCAHRD | Thorne Harbour Health | SAMESH | WAAC | NTAHC

Every year, communities worldwide come together on the third Sunday of May to honor lives lost to HIV and AIDS, celebrate the resilience of those living with HIV, and renew our commitment to ending the epidemic. This year, we invite you to be part of this meaningful remembrance on Sunday, 17th May.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service will be held at the Salvation Army Hall, Hospital Road, Labasa. The event is supported by Fiji Network Plus, with generous financial support from Health Equity Matters, in collaboration with Labasa Red Cross Branch and Salvation Army.

Event Details:
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Salvation Army Hall, Hospital Road, Labasa

Come and light a candle in memory of the lives lost to HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. Show your solidarity with people living with HIV, their families, and loved ones. Together, let’s stand united in hope, compassion, and action.

Let’s come together to light the legacy and make a difference!
Health Equity Matters Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
PC: Northern Samar

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE AMAZING MOMS LIVING WITH HIV. Today, we celebrate you, the strong, courageous, and loving moms who live with HIV. Your resilience and dedication as mothers, whether you are raising your children alone or with support, inspire us all.

You demonstrate daily that love, hope, and strength know no boundaries. Your journey may have unique challenges, but your unwavering commitment to your children and their futures is truly admirable.

On this special day, we honor you and thank you for your bravery, your sacrifices, and the love you give unconditionally. You are heroes in every sense of the word.

Happy Mother’s Day!

FJN+ proudly represented at the Women Deliver Conference, with a dedicated member of the Positive Women group participating in this vital global event. The conference offered a valuable platform to deepen understanding of key issues such as climate justice, SRHR, gender-based violence, and the lived experiences of Women Living with HIV (WLHIV).

Key insights from the event included the disproportionate impact of climate change on WLHIV, underscoring the urgent need to integrate HIV responses into climate resilience strategies, especially within Pacific communities. Sessions on SRHR reinforced the importance of bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, and stigma-free healthcare. Discussions on gender-based violence highlighted the necessity for survivor-centered approaches, safe spaces, and community-led advocacy.

Recognizing that WLHIV are often underrepresented, FJN+, together with other WLHIV networks and support groups, actively ensured their voices were heard and amplified, reaffirming our commitment to leadership and visibility for WLHIV.

This experience has enriched the Organization Women Support Group's leadership, advocacy skills, and global networks, emphasizing the critical role of WLHIV in shaping responses to climate, health, and social justice challenges.

A heartfelt thank you to the British High Commission UK in Fiji for their financial support, enabling our representative to be part of this important global discussion. Together, we continue to champion the rights and voices of WLHIV!

Recently, Fiji Network Plus (FJN+) conducted a productive meeting with the SRH and HIV Unit Fiji, engaging key leaders such as Dr. Emali Tuirara, the HIV Prevention Lead, and Dr. Sonika Shayal, the Central/Eastern S*xual & Reproductive Health Clinic Medical Officer. The discussion centered on formalizing the Peer-Led Counseling Program, with a focus on hosting arrangements, referral pathways, and reporting mechanisms.

This successful engagement represents a significant milestone in advancing HIV prevention and care strategies. FJN+ IS COMMITTED to collaborating closely with the HIV Hub and strategic partners like Medical Services Pacific to enhance retention in care and re-engage individuals who have been lost to follow-up, an ongoing challenge in the national HIV response.

The primary objective is to utilize the Peer-Led Counseling Program to reconnect those lost to follow-up, support retention for individuals already in care, and contribute to the reduction of HIV transmission across the country. Strengthening peer-led support is recognized as a vital component in achieving these goals.

Special thanks are extended to the Burnet Institute and Health Equity Matters for their steadfast support and partnership in this critical mission. Through collective efforts, a lasting impact on HIV prevention and care in the community is anticipated.

Health Equity Matters Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

A heartfelt thank you to Dean from Burnet Institute for an incredible and successful week! Your support, friendliness, and dedication have made a huge difference in the Fiji Peer Led Counseling program. It’s been truly amazing working with such an inspiring and committed person.

Wishing you all the best on your journey to PNG tomorrow. Safe travels! Looking forward to seeing you again soon in Fiji.

This morning brought a touch of rain and a flurry of activity at the Capital, marking an eventful week. One of the highlights has been the successful conduct of the Our Peer Counseling training, which brought together a dedicated group of Peer Counselors who will play a vital role in upcoming programs. The training, which concludes today, has been an enriching experience focused on revisiting HIV information, deepening the understanding of Peer Counseling concepts, and reconnecting with both new and familiar members of the Organization.

Special thanks are extended to the Burnet Institute for their unwavering support and leadership as the lead facilitator throughout the week. Their commitment and effort have been instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the program. Appreciation is also due to Health Equity Matters for their tremendous ongoing support and to Pacific S*xual and Gender Diversity Network - PSGDN for their administrative assistance. Vinaka vakalevu to the SRH and HIV Unit Fiji for graciously providing their conference resources for our training this week. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Looking ahead, there are exciting plans to roll out this program next month in the Central Division, followed by initiatives in the Western and Northern Divisions. Heartfelt gratitude goes to all community members who have shown a willingness to spearhead this effort, working together to promote the quality of life for people living with HIV and contributing meaningfully to the national HIV response.