The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with key One Health stakeholders, successfully conducted a Tabbletop Simulation Exercise (TTX) on Pandemic Preparedness and Response from 27-29 January 2025 at the Royal Institite for Governance and Strategic Studies(RIGSS), Phuentsholing.

RIGSS holds nationals significance as Bhutan’s premier institution for governance and strategic leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it served as the command centre for the Southern COVID-19 Task Force, where critical decisions on response strategies, coordination, and resource mobilization were made. Hosting this TTX at RIGSS symbolizes  our continued commitment to evidence-based decision-making, crisis leadership, and multisectoral collaboration in pandemic preparedness.

The exercise aimed to evaluate multisectoral preparedness and response mechanisms for zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential, diseases that affect humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The TTX was based on a hypothetical yet plausible scenario involving a novel H5N1 mutant strain (H5N1 2.3.4.4XX), a potentially deadlier variant of avian influenza due to its increased transmissibility among mammals and a higher mortality rate in infected animals, raising concerns about potential of severe illness in humans.

A total of 57 participants and facilitators from key agencies, including the Ministry of Health (DoPH, DCS, BFDA, RCDC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (DoL, NCAH), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (DoFPS & DoECC), Office of the Prime Minister (NDTF Secretariat), Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, Bhutan Red Cross Society, KGUMSB, RIGSS, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Bhutan Army, De-suung, WHO Country Office, UNDP, and other stakeholders, engaged in scenario-based discussions. The exercise focused on coordination, surveillance, risk assessment, laboratory capacities, clinical management, supplies and logistics (drugs, PPE, equipment and vaccines) and other emergency response strategies.

We were honored to have Dasho Chewang Rinzin, Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), as the Chief Guest. In his opening remarks, Dasho emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from past experiences, particularly Bhutan’s strategic and well-coordinated response to COVID-19, to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics.

The exercise, supported by the Pandemic Fund  Project, served as an opportunity to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen Bhutan’s health security and emergency response mechanisms.

Key Takeaways:

• Strengthened coordination and response mechanisms for pandemic preparedness
• Identified gaps and areas for improvement in national pandemic readiness
• Reinforced the One Health approach to tackle emerging zoonotic threats

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, facilitators, and partners for making this a meaningful and impactful exercise!

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