Government hospitals in the capital are starting clinics for the transgender community to provide equal access to healthcare. The rising demand for gender confirmation surgeries may be a trigger behind these new clinics. While Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has already started an outpatient department (OPD) for the transgender community, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi will soon come up with a center of excellence for transgender healthcare.
None other than AIIMS, New Delhi, has announced a Center of Excellence for Transgender Healthcare. Born out of a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the center will start functioning within the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department of AIIMS in three to four months.
Speaking about the idea behind setting up this centre, Manish Singhal, Professor and Head of Department (HOD), Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, said that the need was felt for a comprehensive facility for transgender medical care. “This center is intended to be a facility where all care can be provided together, rather than having people running around in different departments,” he said.
The center of excellence at AIIMS comes after another centrally funded hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, set up a special outpatient department (OPD) for transgenders. The department, inaugurated on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, provides OPD services to transgenders every Friday. It also has a separate registration desk.
Talking about the services provided at the dedicated OPD, Shailesh Kumar, professor at the Department of Surgery, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, said that the patients are seen by a group of ten to twelve medical professionals from various disciplines such as urology, medicine , dermatology, burns, psychology, pediatrics and endocrinology.
“Initial response to the center has been very positive, with high visitor numbers since its inauguration in September,” he added.
Gender confirmation surgeries, a top priority
Singhal pointed out that gender affirmation surgeries should be at the top of the agenda as far as transgender healthcare is concerned. “It is a step-by-step process, which requires permission from the administration and various departments, such as endocrinology. A system will be created to ensure hassle-free access for transgender people for these surgeries,” he said.
Speaking about the demand for gender affirmation surgeries, Richie Gupta, Director and Head of Department (HOD), Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fortis Hospital, said that as more people are coming out now, the demand for this surgery has increased. about ten times higher than thirty years ago.
“The availability of more healthcare workers and safer surgical methods have increased the rising demand,” he added.
Keeping in line with the rising demand for gender confirmation surgeries, Anmol Chugh, consultant, Plastics and Aesthetics Centre, CK Birla Hospital, said it is one of the most sought-after surgeries as it effectively puts the transgender community on the path of self-empowerment. confirmation and acceptance.
Talking about the cost of such surgeries, Gupta said gender confirmation surgery can cost between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh for male-to-female transition, while female-to-male transition can cost up to Rs 5 lakh.
“Though transgenders get an annual health insurance of Rs 5 lakh each under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, private insurers still lag far behind in providing cover for such surgeries,” Chugh claimed.
Doctors and activists hail the move and say more needs to be done
Chugh hailed these projects and said these centers will be an example of outpatient clinics for the transgender community, a kind of one-stop solution.
“There is a need to also add administrative components to these centers so that right from consultation, financial and mental guidance, operations, post-operative care and rehabilitation in the society runs smoothly,” he added.
To give an example, Chugh said gender affirmation surgery requires multiple specialties such as psychiatry, endocrinology, plastic surgery, etc., along with contact with multiple surgical consent authorities who may not be sensitive to the needs of transgender people due to a lack of awareness and education.
Calling it a positive step, a transgender rights activist said that while this is good to hear, a gender sensitization session is also needed for doctors and healthcare workers.
“Some doctors are very judgmental and look at us very strangely. This has resulted in a hesitation to consult,” the activist said.
Another activist said the community needs a trans-friendly environment to feel safe and confident to share their concerns. “We need free and accessible treatment and consultation on HIV-AIDS, hormone therapy and more, because everyone cannot afford it at current prices,” the activist added.
Agreeing that the community faces a stigma, Singhal said AIIMS has conducted a gender sensitization program for doctors and healthcare workers who will cater to people from the transgender community at the recently announced centre.