Battling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS in Bhutan is not the responsibility of the health ministry alone. There was a need for a collective effort from all sectors to combat this national concern.

This need resulted in the formation of the national strategic plan (NSP) for prevention and control of STIs and HIV/AIDS in Bhutan. It was launched on January 23, by Her Majesty the queen mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck.

The plan took two years to be put together and was framed in consultation with all agencies and ministries. “Everybody has a role to play and this plan defines those roles,” said the public health director Dr Ugyen Dophu. “Before people felt that we were pushing our work on them but its not. They have their own roles to play and health has its own role.”

Some of the guiding principles of NSP are to create awareness and empower people with knowledge to protect themselves from HIV infection. “HIV and AIDS prevention and control is more than a health issue. It represents a developmental crisis. A multi-sectoral, inter-disciplinary and holistic approach is therefore the key to effective prevention and control,” states the report.

NSP defines the priority areas such as the vulnerable groups, sex workers, uniformed personnel, prisoners, substance abusers and the mobile population that need attention and intervention from all levels. The plan also specifies the role of the media to disseminate knowledge, accurate information and condom access and use. “With the plan in place, all ministries will be creating awareness on HIV/AIDS with help from the health ministry. They can identify people with risky behaviours and inform us. Just now we are not even able to do that,” said Dr Ugyen Dophu.

He said that the health ministry would give technical and financial assistance to the other ministries. Each sector will also have a focal person to manage the issue.

Although, compared to the rest of the countries in the region, Bhutan fell under low endemic area, Bhutan is still vulnerable to HIV epidemic. The reasons are lack of awareness on HIV/AIDS among all sections of the society, low usage of condoms, sex workers and the complacent attitude of Bhutanese towards sex.

Dr Gampo Dorji in his presentation on the HIV scenario in Bhutan said, “In the best of scenario, we expect Bhutan to have about 500 HIV cases if detected.”

Except for Paro, Gasa, Zhemgang and Trashi Yangtse, the rest of the districts have all been detected with HIV cases. Thimphu has the highest followed by Chukha.

Addressing the gathering that comprised of ministers, member of parliaments, officials from the armed forces, international organisations, autonomous bodies and the civil society, the health minister lyonpo Zangley Dukpa said, “The NSP framework shall serve as a basis for developing individual sectoral plans. Each one of us can play our own roles, in our own ways, which when combined will make a big difference in the lives of our people.” Source: Kuenselonline