It is indeed a landmark move. Bhutan has introduced pre-exposure prophylaxis, an oral medication that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV. The initiative, launched in December, has already seen 54 individuals in Thimphu and Paro begin PrEP as part of its initial phase.

The programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Save the Children, targeting key populations at high risk, including men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and transgender individuals.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is designed for individuals who are HIV-negative but at high risk of contracting the virus. Health experts emphasise that the medication should be taken by those whose partners are HIV-positive, individuals who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past six months, or people who share injection equipment.

By offering an alternative to traditional preventive methods such as condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis enables those at risk to safeguard themselves against HIV more effectively.

The programme, supported by the Global Fund Project, aims to achieve a 90 percent reduction in new HIV infections in the country by 2030. Bhutan has recorded 1,010 HIV cases since the first detection in 1993, with 772 people currently living with the virus.

Health officials believe that pre-exposure prophylaxis, when combined with existing prevention strategies, can significantly curb the rate of new infections, particularly among high-risk groups.

Despite its effectiveness in preventing HIV, PrEP does not offer protection against other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis. To address this concern, health officials are incorporating additional preventive measures, including the distribution of condoms and counseling services, as part of the programme.

By combining these approaches, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive framework for HIV prevention and sexual health education in the country.

With continued efforts and strategic interventions, the health ministry hopes to significantly reduce HIV infections and ensure better health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

The introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis in the country marks a significant advancement in its HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. By embracing this proactive approach and integrating it with existing strategies, the nation is taking a bold step towards safeguarding the health of its citizens and achieving its goal of reducing new HIV infections by 90 percent by 2030.