National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) - Bhutan

The report presented is based on the consolidated findings of both the GARPR and the NCPI data, which were discussed and validated by all key stakeholders working toward the common goal of mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country.

The National STIs and HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Programme (NACP), under the Department of Public Health, led the preparation and submission of this report, with technical support from UNAIDS, Nepal.

The Global AIDS Response Progress Report (GARPR) 2015 was led by the National HIV/AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Programme (NACP) with technical support from the UNAIDS Country Office in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The National Strategic Plan III (2017-2023) reflects the progress made in achieving a clearer understanding of the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and also the increasing unity of purpose among all the stakeholders, who are driven by a shared vision to attain the highest impact towards our long-term vision of ending the AIDS epidemic as public health threat in Bhutan.

The HIV incidence in Bhutan has seen sharp rise over last decade; this rise has been attributable to increasing prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (2.4%), strengthened HIV detection services with improved infrastructures and nevertheless the improved public awareness on the importance of getting oneself tested. Until July 2011, we have 246 total HIV cases throughout the country, and within the gap of six months the case has increased by 24 making total reported cases of 270.

Based on the principles of Second Generation Surveillance, this first BSS was conducted among population groups considered to be most at risk for HIV in Bhutan.

A cross-sectional design with qualitative and quantitative methods was used for this formative assessment that was aimed at informing the development of the IBBS survey among key populations in priority sites in Bhutan.