Bhutan

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, though isolated geographically, is not impervious to HIV/AIDS. Increasing cross-border migration and international travel, combined with behavioral risk factors of the population, mean Bhutan could face a rapid growth of HIV cases in the coming years. To date, 83 people have been identified as HIV positive among Bhutan’s population of about 700,000. However, the small sample sizes in high risk groups may not give an adequate picture of the epidemic among populations most likely to experience a rise in HIV prevalence. UNAIDS estimates that about 500 people could be living with HIV at the end of 2005. Among the cases reported between 1993 and 2002, heterosexual sex was the primary mode of transmission. The infected persons range in age from 15 to 35 years, with men slightly outnumbering women. The average age of infected women is about 23 years, significantly lower than the average age for infected men, which is 32 years. People with HIV come from diverse occupational backgrounds. They are farmers, government servants, and female sex workers, in addition to those returning from other countries. Half the infections are reported from Thimphu, the capital, and Phuentsholing, a bustling commercial town bordering the Indian state of West Bengal.

As the epidemic is at a very early stage, there is still time for vigorous action to stop its spread. This section links you to resources, news, events and organisations working on HIV/AIDS in Bhutan.