India Sends ARV Drugs to Fiji, Reaffirms Commitment to Global South Health Partnership

New Delhi: Demonstrating its continued commitment to health cooperation with the Global South, India on Saturday dispatched a consignment of Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs to Fiji to support the island nation’s public health programme.

Announcing the shipment, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X:

“A consignment of Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs has been dispatched to Fiji to support its health programme. India remains committed to supporting Fiji in its public health response and humanitarian needs.”

The move builds on the growing partnership between the two countries, following Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to India in August, where he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging discussions covering defence, health, agriculture, trade, and other key areas.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the strengthening ties and reaffirmed their intent to build a broad-based and inclusive partnership, particularly in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

During the visit, PM Modi welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia, signed in May 2025, aimed at deepening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and improving access to affordable, quality medicines in Fiji.

Modi also reiterated India’s support for establishing Jan Aushadhi Kendras (People’s Pharmacies) in Fiji to ensure low-cost generic drugs reach every household.

“We believe that only a healthy nation can be a prosperous nation. Therefore, we decided that a 100-bed super specialty hospital will be built in Suva. Dialysis units and sea ambulances will be sent. Also, Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened so that affordable and high-quality medicines reach every home. We also plan to organize a ‘Jaipur Foot’ camp in Fiji,” PM Modi had said during his meeting with Rabuka.

The two leaders also welcomed the convening of the 3rd Joint Working Group on Health on August 13, which explored collaboration under India’s e-Sanjeevani telemedicine initiative to expand remote healthcare access and strengthen digital health connectivity between India and Fiji.

With inputs from IANS