Lhak-Sam (BNP+)

Lhak-Sam, which translates to altruism, embodies the principle of selflessly considering others before oneself. Established in 2010, Lhak-Sam is the sole Bhutan Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (BNP+) registered under the Civil Society Organization Authority (CSOA) of Bhutan. Observed first-ever International Hepatitis B Day by the government in 2016. This event raised awareness about Hepatitis B testing and treatment, significantly contributing to public health. Additionally, in 2019, the policy on the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis was instituted and validated, enabling easier access to services for these three diseases simultaneously.
Following this, public were educated and informed via awareness campaign in the 20 districts about Hepatitis B and C; modes of transmission, preventive measures and treatment. During the National HIV Commission, Lhaksam actively advocated for the inclusion of Hepatitis B and C as national health priorities, recognising their growing threat and co-infection risks among people living with HIV. Despite these efforts, the inclusion of hepatitis in Bhutan’s public health agenda has remained limited, primarily due to the lack of dedicated funding from external donors. This funding gap has resulted in the continued marginalisation of Hepatitis B and C, hindering early detection, treatment, and prevention efforts. As a result, hepatitis remains an overlooked epidemic, posing a significant but under-addressed public health threat in Bhutan.