Breaking New Ground: A Municipal Review of HIV and Rights Programmes and Services for Men who Have Sex with Men and Transgender People in Thimphu, Bhutan

This review of HIV and rights-based programmes for men who have sex with men and transgender people was undertaken in Thimphu, Bhutan through a partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Royal Government of Bhutan and the United Nations Development Programme.

Regional and global research demonstrates that HIV risk and vulnerability can be exacerbated by the mobility of populations and changing social norms in urban settings. The need for increased information and research in the cities of Bhutan is imperative given the steady rate of urbanization in the country. With the increasing trend of ruralurban migration, there is a need for health interventions to be prioritized, considering the growing vulnerabilities and increasing risk to HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender people.

The Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan is committed to continuing our efforts in the design and implementation of appropriate health and rights-based interventions on HIV, and to promote universal access to prevention, care and support for the affected and vulnerable sections of our population — including men who have sex with men, transgender people and all those living with HIV.