Drugs, HIV and gangs: the Pacific island paradise hit by a triple epidemic episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 37 MIN

Drugs, HIV and gangs: the Pacific island paradise hit by a triple epidemic

from Iran: The Latest

Drugs and gangs have created an explosion in HIV cases in Fiji.This week on Battle Lines: Global Health Security, Arthur Scott-Geddes is joined by Sarah Newey, The Telegraph’s correspondent in Bangkok who recently travelled to Fiji, and Dr Jason Mitchell, the head of the country’s HIV task force.On the archipelago known as the gateway to the Pacific, Chinese triads, Mexican cartels, and Australian biker gangs are all involved in a booming methamphetamine trade.The result is that an island paradise is now home to the fastest-growing HIV epidemic on earth.Read Sarah’s dispatch from Fiji:The island paradise with the world’s fastest growing HIV epidemichttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/fiji-island-paradise-with-the-worlds-fastest-growing-HIV-epidemic/Producer: Sophie O'SullivanExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsStudio Operator: Meghan Searle► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:[email protected]@venetiarainey@ascottgeddes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Drugs, HIV and gangs: the Pacific island paradise hit by a triple epidemic

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