Although there are only two HIV positive persons who are currently receiving treatment in Tonga, the Ministry of Health is concerned with the increasing number of people who have tested positive with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Tonga marked World AIDS Day 2014 yesterday, 1 December, under a theme ‘Close the Gap’ aimed to end the AIDS epidemic globally by 2030, and  the "getting to zero" target.

The programs in Nuku’alofa included a Memorial Candlelight Service on Sunday, 30 November at Tungi Colonade, with a float parade by stakeholders including the Tonga Leitis Association on Monday.

The Ministry of Health's national statistics showed the first diagnosed HIV case was in 1987. Since then a total of 19 cases were diagnosed at the hospital (by blood tests) were positive for HIV, including 12 men and seven women. Of these some have died, while others have migrated and returned to their country of origin. The last diagnosed cases were in 2012.

The HIV Care Program is currently providing services to the two HIV positive clients in Tonga who are receiving ARV treatment from the HIV Care Program, with continuous support from the Treatment Core Team, the Ministry said in a statement.

"Although Tonga has maintained the number of HIV at 19, the Ministry of Health and stakeholders are concerned with an increasing number of people tested positive with STI."

The Ministry of Health is working closely with stakeholders in raising the awareness to reach the public, especially the key population at high risks. “Since Tonga has low prevalence of HIV, the focus is on prevention strategies to ensure we will achieve the global target of Getting to Zero by 2030.”

The HIV program is funded by the Global Fund with contributions from the Ministry of Health and NGOs such as the Tonga Family Health Association and Tonga Red Cross. International agencies also providing bilateral funding include the World Health Organization and United Nations Agencies.

The Ministry of Health, Tonga Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) and HIV Stakeholder Committee organised the program for World AIDS Day.

According to the Global Fund, worldwide 2.1 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2013, including 240,000 children.