HIV/AIDS in Bhutan

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HIV/AIDS in Bhutan remains a relatively rare disease among its population. It has, however, grown into an issue of national concern since

Bhutanese royal family in the person of Queen Mother Sangay Choden.[1]

Infection rates and patterns

In 2011, there were 246 reported cases of HIV in Bhutan, representing just over 0.03% of the population.

UNAIDS.[3] Infection rates had remained modest though increasing, climbing from 185 reported cases, or 0.026% of the population, in early 2010. The Ministry of Health attributed climbing numbers to promiscuity, drug use, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring countries.[4]: 4  In 2010, almost 91% of HIV infections among Bhutanese were attributed to multiple partners and lack of condom use.[3] As of 2010, Bhutan had not implemented any needle and syringe programs.[1]
: 19 

Persons living with HIV/AIDS in Bhutan include all social groups, including government employees, businessmen, farmers, soldiers, monks, sex workers and housewives. In 2010, housewives presented 61 of 217 known cases, while sex workers presented 10.[3] Persons between the ages of 15 and 29 accounted for half of those reportedly living with HIV/AIDS in 2010. In Bhutan, HIV/AIDS is detections come about primarily through contact tracing and routine medical checks.[3] Urban areas such as Thimphu, home to bars, karaoke, discos, and hotels, show the greatest propensity for the spread of HIV/AIDS. Kuensel estimated there were some 266 sex workers in Thimphu alone.[5]

Through 2010, 40 people died due to HIV/AIDS-related causes, and one committed suicide.[3]: 6 

Treatment

HIV/AIDS treatment and counseling are available exclusively under the Bhutanese universal health care system.[1]: 27  In 2010, 46 of the known 217 living with HIV/AIDS were receiving treatment.[3] Issues of treatment, counseling, and behavioral compliance among HIV-positive persons have become a matter of public debate.[6] Unlike most of its neighbors, Bhutan has never conducted any serological or behavioral surveillance of its at-risk populations.[1]: 35 

Persons living with HIV/AIDS in Bhutan carry a social stigma and often face discrimination, including disowning and unemployment, because it is a sexually-transmitted disease.

media in Bhutan[9][12]
have recognized the need to address social stigma, which hampers prevention, by educating and counseling the general population.

Lhak-sam, a non-governmental organization, was founded in Thimphu in 2009 by HIV-positive Bhutanese to further education and prevention of HIV/AIDS. A large number of its members are unemployed.[7][13]

History

Although there were no reported cases of

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a precautionary measure. To further enhance awareness, representatives of the National Institute of Family Health were sent to Bangladesh in 1990 for training in AIDS awareness and treatment measures.[14]

Bhutan's first HIV/AIDS case was detected in 1993.

UNFPA ambassadorship, and has been Bhutan's most visible public education campaigner on HIV/AIDS. She has given numerous presentations at public gatherings, at schools and to dropouts, to the military, at monasteries, and in rural communities. The Queen is also responsible for Bhutan's observance of World AIDS Day.[1]

On 24 May 2004, the Fourth

Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck advocated abstinence by rejecting "undesirable activities" and demonstrate compassion to those living with the disease.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-92-9022-389-4. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  2. ^ "The Ministry of Health has Detected…". Bhutan Observer online. 2011-08-01. Archived from the original on 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "An Update on Human Immuno Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)" (PDF). Bhutan Ministry of Health. 2010-07-01. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-99936-767-2-0. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  5. ^ Pokhrel, Nirmala (2011-02-26). "Thimphu Survey Shows High Risk Sexual Conduct". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-11-21.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Wangchuk, Sonam (2011-08-19). "Sex, Disease, and Criminality". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  7. ^ a b "Lhaksam ལྷག་བསམ། Bhutan Network of Positive People". Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  8. ^ Pelden, Sonam (2011-02-21). "A – The covert status of this support group NGO reflects the society it exists in". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-11-21.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b Pelden, Sonam (2011-11-21). "To Come out of the Closet or Not?". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-11-21.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Pelden, Sonam (2011-10-15). "No Law in Place to Protect Their Rights". Archived from the original on 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  11. ^ a b "History: National STI and HIV/AIDS" (PDF). Bhutan Ministry of Health. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  12. ^ "Editorial: Living with HIV/AIDS". Kuensel online. 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-11-21.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Pelgen, Ugyen (2011-10-01). "IMS Builds Capacity for Lhaksam (HIV – NGO)". Bhutan Times online. Archived from the original on 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  14. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Robert L. Worden (September 1991). Andrea Matles Savada (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Health.


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