April 3, 2025
THIMPHU – Bhutan is intensifying its efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) with a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing cases and achieving the End TB goal by 2030.
At the meet-the-press session yesterday, health secretary Pemba Wangchuk highlighted the government’s efforts to curb TB, particularly among the economically productive age group of 15 to 44 years, which accounts for 83 percent of cases.
He emphasised that TB remains a significant public health concern in Bhutan due to its communicable nature. The country reported 920 TB cases in 2024, including 66 multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) cases.
The mortality rate has also risen, with 36 deaths in 2024 compared to 28 in 2023 and 26 in 2022. Recognising these alarming trends, the government has set ambitious targets to reduce TB cases by 90 percent and incidence by 80 percent by 2030.
To combat TB effectively, Bhutan has aligned its response with the global End TB Strategy and introduced the National Strategic Plan, which focuses on early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and rigorous patient follow-up.
The use of rapid molecular tests, such as GeneXpert machines, marks a significant advancement in TB detection. These machines provide faster and more accurate diagnoses, improving treatment outcomes.
Bhutan has already expanded rapid TB diagnostic services, now available at 17 sites, and aims to further scale up testing to ensure timely intervention.
The Ministry of Health is also introducing the Cy-TB test, a next-generation skin test capable of detecting latent TB infections. This test allows for early detection before TB becomes an active disease, strengthening the country’s prevention efforts.
According to the health secretary, this new diagnostic tool will be rolled out nationwide this year, enhancing the country’s ability to detect and manage TB cases more efficiently.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also playing a crucial role in Bhutan’s TB strategy. AI-based TB screening tools, such as Qure AI technology, are expected to improve efficiency and accessibility, particularly in remote areas where healthcare resources are limited.
The health secretary saidthat this technology enables screening without the need for a doctor, making the process faster and more effective.
The government is also intensifying contact tracing efforts, ensuring that household and close contacts of TB and MDR-TB patients are screened and monitored.
To reach high-risk and vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Health is deploying mobile TB screening and testing units. These units will focus on at-risk groups, including people living with HIV, children under five, migrant workers in mining and industrial sites, prisoners, and those living in crowded conditions. By taking TB screening directly to these groups, the government aims to detect cases earlier and prevent further spread of the disease.
Treatment adherence remains a critical factor in TB control, and Bhutan is adopting the World Health Organisation’s recommended all-oral shorter regimens for TB and MDR-TB cases. These new treatment protocols reduce the duration to four to six months for drug-susceptible TB cases and six months for MDR-TB cases, a significant improvement from the previous nine-to-eleven-month regimens.
The government is also strengthening community-based healthcare initiatives, such as Directly Observed Treatment, which ensures better patient adherence through close monitoring and support.
To improve patient follow-up, health workers are using SMS alerts, phone calls, and home visits to track treatment progress. This approach helps identify non-adherent cases early, allowing healthcare workers to intervene before treatment is interrupted.
Ensuring that TB patients and their close contacts receive continuous monitoring and support, as per national guidelines, remains a top priority for the health ministry.
Public awareness campaigns also play a vital role in Bhutan’s fight against TB. The Ministry of Health has been conducting aggressive campaigns to educate the public on TB symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of early diagnosis.
These efforts aim to reduce stigma surrounding TB, which often prevents people from seeking timely medical care. By increasing awareness and addressing misconceptions, the government hopes to encourage more individuals to undergo testing and complete their treatment.
“One of our main targets is to ensure that TB is no longer a problem in Bhutan by 2030, and I believe we can achieve it,” the health secretary said.