Infectious disease readiness: Bhutan’s Royal Centre for Infectious Diseases (RCID) at Gidagom is ready to begin operations next month, with an 80-bed capacity (up to 100 in emergencies) and its first negative-pressure isolation unit—aimed at prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of highly infectious diseases, plus research and training. Disaster preparedness: Thimphu’s major earthquake simulation found gaps in emergency coordination, communication, medical preparedness, traffic management, and logistics, including delays in activating response systems and unclear reporting lines—prompting calls to strengthen equipment, training, and public awareness. Health workforce expansion: KGUMSB plans a new MBBS campus at Gidakom to help graduate Bhutan’s first home-trained doctors in 2028, though student accommodation shortages still constrain enrolment. Substance use prevention: Bhutan marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with renewed calls to tackle evolving drug threats, strengthen enforcement, and expand prevention, education, and stigma-free care. Mental health in schools: After a bullying incident raised safety concerns, Thimphu’s schools pointed to the 2024 Situational Analysis Survey as a tool to spot student wellbeing risks early. Addiction recovery story: A Bhutanese recovering from substance addiction shared how isolation and loss of trust pushed him to seek help—highlighting that recovery is possible.