ANNUAL HEALTH BULLETIN 2004 - Ministry of Health

STD/AIDS control program was established under the Department of Health in 1988
and the first case of AIDS was detected in 1993.
• As of 16 th February 2005 there are 72 HN positive cases
• The first mother to child transmission case was reported in 2001 .
• Total of 5 pregnant mothers were detected with HN infection.
• The mode of infection of all the detected cases is through heterosexual sex.
• Most of detected cases so far are through sentinel surveillance, contact tracing,
and medical checkup.
• The cases are distributed in all occupations with maximum in civil servants and
business peoples.
• According to gender there are 33 female and 39 male infected with HIV. The
ratio of female to male is (1:1.3).
• The current prevalence of HIV infection is 0.05%, which shows that Bhutan is
at early phase of epidemic.
1. To reduce transmission of HN infection through sexual, blood products, and
perennial and STIs.
2. To reduce risk of STI and HIV transmission through lEC and multi sector
approach.
3. To reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS and STls.
4. VCT services and HIV surveillance system established in all districts.
1. Prevent sexual transmission through multi-sectoral approach and lEe
2. Prevent transmission through blood and blood products
3. Prevent vertical transmission
4. Counseling and care facilities established
5. Program Strengthening and management.
The National AIDS Committee was established in 1994 and the terms of reference
(TOR) are:
• Formulate policies on prevention and control of STDs and HN/ AIDS.
• Facilitate linking of national HIV/AIDS plan and policies with other important
policy making processes.