WHO ties: Bhutan’s Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk met India’s Nisha Mehta in Geneva at the 79th World Health Assembly, agreeing to strengthen flexible, inclusive, people-centred health systems and further health-system collaboration. AI for lung care: SingHealth and the Royal University of Bhutan will train an AI-assisted chest X-ray model on Bhutanese data to help rural hospitals diagnose lung infections and cancer, with rollout planned across Gelephu Mindfulness City facilities. Clean cooking push: HAB and Planethos launched a clean cooking consultation and MoU to expand high-efficiency electric cookstoves, aiming to cut indoor air pollution and support Bhutan’s energy transition. Maternal telemedicine results: MoH and JICA shared an impact evaluation of the iCTG telemedicine initiative for fetal heart rate and uterine contraction, assessing its effect on maternal and child health services. Tobacco/vapes debate: Bhutan’s National Council discussed a Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill that could ban vape and e-cigarette imports, as youth use concerns rise. Population policy: Government will roll out a Third Child Incentive Programme next month with Nu 10,000 monthly support for third and subsequent children up to age three. Water stress: A National Council review warned Bhutan’s water sources are drying faster due to climate variability, development pressure, and institutional gaps. Rural connectivity: MPs raised alarms over weak mobile coverage in remote highlands; the Rural Connectivity Programme has reached 850+ villages, but some pockets remain unconnected. Animal health research: Stool testing began in Nepal’s Myagdi to assess endangered red panda health and estimate population using camera traps.