ABSTRACT
Bhutan, a small Himalayan nation of 750,000 people, did remarkably well in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic from wreaking havoc on the life and livelihood of its people. Bhutan’s response to the pandemic was described as exemplary by many organizations, including WHO and UNICEF. This achievement can be mainly attributed to the dynamic and compassionate leadership of the King of Bhutan supported by the government’s well-thought-out plans, policies, and measures, which were implemented effectively on the ground. Bhutan carried out vaccination drives that were highly successful, and implemented effective welfare programs to support the lives of those affected by the pandemic. This chapter summarizes the key features of Bhutan’s fight against the pandemic and what made it successful.
