With the launch of PrEP, an oral drug that dramatically lowers the risk of acquiring HIV, Bhutan has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As part of the initiative’s first phase, 54 people in Thimphu and Paro have started taking PrEP since its launch in December. The program, which was developed in partnership with Save the Children and the Ministry of Health, focuses on high-risk groups, such as transgender people, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men. PrEP is intended for people who do not have HIV but are at a high risk of getting it. HIV-positive partners, people with STIs, and people sharing injection equipment are advised to take PrEP, a drug that aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030.
Since the virus was discovered in 1993, Bhutan reported 1,010 HIV cases, 772 people are presently infected. According to health officials, PrEP can dramatically reduce the number of new infections, especially in high-risk populations. PrEP is effective at preventing HIV, but it is not protective against syphilis or gonorrhea, two other sexually transmitted infections. In order to address this issue, health officials are adding more preventive measures to the program, such as condom distribution and counseling services. The initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for HIV prevention and sexual health education in Bhutan by integrating these strategies. The health ministry aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations and drastically lower HIV infections through sustained efforts and targeted interventions.
