Lhak-sam (BNP+), a network of positive people in Bhutan was formed in September 2009 by a group of positive people in Thimphu, with the main aim of supporting each other. Encouraged by the Ministry of Health, the group expanded to other districts and set its mission to create and promote a strong support system based on solidarity, social networking and people’s participation for addressing and taking collective action towards effective responses to HIV/AIDS and its impact. It currently has 44 members (24 females and 20 males) across the country and an executive committee (comprising of 8 members 4 women and 4 men) has been formed that makes all major decisions for the group. The executive director (male) and the General Secretary (female) have been elected from among the members. The group completed all formalities and submitted the full application for registration as a public benefit Non-Government Organization (NGO) to the civil society organization (CSO) authority on August 8th 2010. Lhaksam become the 10th NGO to be registered under the CSOA on 26th November 2010.
Since the detection of the first HIV case in 1993, the number has been steadily increasing and as of December 1, 2011, a total of 270 HIV cases have been detected in the country (HIV detection trend). Out of this 48 have died including a non-bhutanese. 13 of the PLHIV were non-bhutanese and repatraited. This leaves a total of 209 known cases of people living with the HIV/AIDS in the country.
Lhak-sam has been formed in response to the needs of its members and also of the concern by members of the rapid spread of the disease in the country. With only three registered civil society (NGO) in the country in the past, positive people were completely isolated and dependent entirely on the few health workers to discuss their problems. Stigma and discrimination is high and being a small country and population, nearly everybody knows each other, which makes knowing your HIV status a fearful thing. In addition Lhak-sam as an organization faces other daunting challenges and constraints reflecting the way the epidemic is spreading in Bhutan.
The organization lacks both technical and financial resources. The highest qualification of the current members is up to the XII standard with the majority having left school at the primary level. Majority of members are unemployed, there is no office or place to meet. The group has been driven only by its commitment and interest to support each other and to partner with stakeholders to halt and reverse the spread of HIV in Bhutan. The group therefore seeks support to strengthen itself and to assist it in networking and building its capacity so that they may contribute positively in the fight against HIV.
