The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Bhutan is facing a growing public health concern as tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continue to be among the most prevalent communicable diseases in the country.
According to the National Health Bulletin 2025, which presents health data from the year 2024, TB cases have increased to 920. This reflects a rise from the 864 cases recorded in 2023, as reported in the National Health Bulletin 2024, marking an increase of 56 cases, which is approximately 6.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the bulletin also highlighted that HIV cases have shown a steady increase. As of the end of 2023, 935 people were living with HIV in Bhutan. The National Health Bulletin 2025 reports that the upward trend continued into 2024, with 1020 HIV cases in total.
Both diseases remain among the top communicable diseases in Bhutan, according to the report.
TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is spread through airborne particles released when someone with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks. People can contract the disease by inhaling these infectious droplets, especially in areas with poor ventilation or where many people live near one another.
However, not everyone who is exposed to the virus becomes sick. TB bacteria can remain inactive in the body for years, and people may never develop symptoms unless their immune system is weakened. If TB becomes active, it often presents with a persistent cough, chest discomfort, fever, weight loss, and night sweats. At that stage, the disease becomes contagious and requires urgent medical treatment.
To address this, the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP) plans to reduce TB incidence through early intervention and timely diagnosis.
HIV, on the other hand, weakens the body’s immune system by attacking key infection-fighting cells. Common modes of transmission include unprotected sex, sharing of contaminated needles, transfusions with infected blood, and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Unlike TB, HIV does not spread through air or casual physical contact like hugging or sharing food.
To address the spread of HIV, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is pursuing ambitious national targets under its National HIV/AIDS and STIs Control Program (NACP). The report states, “This target aims to ensure that 95 percent of all people living with HIV know their status, provide sustained antiretroviral therapy to 95 percent of those diagnosed with HIV, and achieve viral suppression in 95% of individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.”
Despite policy advances, both diseases continue to spread due to a combination of factors: late diagnosis, limited access to timely healthcare in remote areas, and social stigma.
Preventing TB starts with keeping the immune system strong. This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking, managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, and ensuring proper hygiene and ventilation, especially in crowded places. Those in close contact with TB patients should also undergo screening and, where appropriate, receive preventive medication.
For HIV, prevention includes safer sexual practices, particularly consistent use of contraceptives, and avoiding risky behaviors such as sharing needles.
Regular HIV testing plays a major role in identifying new infections early, allowing people to begin antiretroviral treatment (medications used to treat HIV infection) before complications set in. Expectant mothers living with HIV can also take steps to prevent passing the virus to their babies with the right medical care.
Experts stress that early detection and treatment are essential in the fight against both diseases. TB is curable with a strict course of antibiotics over six to nine months, while HIV is manageable through lifelong antiretroviral therapy, which can keep the virus at undetectable levels and significantly improve life expectancy.
With stronger awareness, better access to services, and early interventions, the country can reduce the burden of TB and HIV, and move closer to its goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and minimizing TB infections in the years ahead.
