The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) team led by Chairperson Steve Chand, Director Dr Eci Naisele, held a meeting with the Dr Jason Mitchell, currently leading the HIV task force at Ministry of Health and Medical Services (M0HMS) .
The primary purpose of the meeting was to have discuss the critical issue with the raising concerns of HIV/ AIDS outbreak in Fiji and to discuss on HIV & AIDs Educators Champion Programme.
HECF Chairperson Mr Steve Chand, said this course will be able to educate the people, as HIV has become a national topic. Australian Pacific Management and Training is the only registered Higher Education Institution that offers this Certificate 2 in Community Health (Addressing HIV &AIDS in Fiji).
He added that we see this programme as an insurance cover for Fijians, which aims the further prevention of HIV.
Dr Mitchell presented a brief overview of the current HIV situation in Fiji, highlighting the importance of awareness alone will not solve the issues. Moving forward MOHMS and commission will continue to dialogue how best HECF can play a role especially in HEI in combating the HIV outbreak.
He added more resources particularly funding and human resources is needed to effectively combat HIV in Fiji.
