Health dept urged to set up dedicated wards for transgenders at all hospitals

New Delhi: Delhi govt's social welfare department has urged the department of health and family welfare to expedite the setting up of dedicated wards for transgenders at all govt hospitals across the city. It has further sought a designated hospital for sex reassignment surgery for them.

"In the spirit of section 15(f) and (g), Chapter VI of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, it was already requested to expedite the establishment of dedicated wards for transgenders in every govt hospital in Delhi and designate a hospital for sex reassignment surgery to ensure their rights and dignity," the department stated in a letter recently.

It added: "Transgenders are also susceptible to getting infectious diseases like HIV/TB, and the above request will go a long way in mitigating the problems faced by this group."

A social department official told TOI, "These steps are important to avoid any form of discrimination at the ground level. We are working on adding third gender options in most of our welfare schemes. Further, the constant follow-up of the letter with departments is happening."

However, rights activists have questioned the pace of implementation of several ideas and schemes for transgenders. A transgender person could not avail herself of a disability pension, as there was no transgender option available, claimed an activist. "We request govt to expedite implementation of all welfare schemes and ideas for transgenders," said Rupika Dhillon, director of Society for Peoples' Awareness, Care & Empowerment.

TOI did not get a response from the health department in this regard.

In 2023, India's first dedicated OPD for the transgender community was inaugurated at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The initiative was aimed at alleviating the difficulties encountered by members of the transgender community in accessing healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination and social apathy. Here, transgenders are provided with an endocrinology facility with hormone analysis and free hormonal treatment, a psychiatry facility with clinical-psychological assessment, and the plastic surgery facility.

New Delhi: Delhi govt's social welfare department has urged the department of health and family welfare to expedite the setting up of dedicated wards for transgenders at all govt hospitals across the city. It has further sought a designated hospital for sex reassignment surgery for them.

"In the spirit of section 15(f) and (g), Chapter VI of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, it was already requested to expedite the establishment of dedicated wards for transgenders in every govt hospital in Delhi and designate a hospital for sex reassignment surgery to ensure their rights and dignity," the department stated in a letter recently.

It added: "Transgenders are also susceptible to getting infectious diseases like HIV/TB, and the above request will go a long way in mitigating the problems faced by this group."

A social department official told TOI, "These steps are important to avoid any form of discrimination at the ground level. We are working on adding third gender options in most of our welfare schemes. Further, the constant follow-up of the letter with departments is happening."

However, rights activists have questioned the pace of implementation of several ideas and schemes for transgenders. A transgender person could not avail herself of a disability pension, as there was no transgender option available, claimed an activist. "We request govt to expedite implementation of all welfare schemes and ideas for transgenders," said Rupika Dhillon, director of Society for Peoples' Awareness, Care & Empowerment.

TOI did not get a response from the health department in this regard.

In 2023, India's first dedicated OPD for the transgender community was inaugurated at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The initiative was aimed at alleviating the difficulties encountered by members of the transgender community in accessing healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination and social apathy. Here, transgenders are provided with an endocrinology facility with hormone analysis and free hormonal treatment, a psychiatry facility with clinical-psychological assessment, and the plastic surgery facility.