India (Commonwealth Union)_ The Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the nation’s capital, which has launched India’s first outpatient department (OPD) specifically for trans people, is off to a promising start as patients are starting to view health care as a fundamental human right. The OPD was officially opened on the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Two weeks later, the bulk of visitors are enrolling for cosmetic procedures, plastic surgeries, gender transition surgery, and laser hair removal. In addition to providing free medical care, the department also provides free investigations, sex-change surgery, endocrinology counseling, psychiatric testing, plastic surgery, and dermatological treatments.
The Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi, a government-run medical institution, accomplished a historic milestone by unveiling India’s inaugural Outpatient Department (OPD) designed exclusively for the transgender community, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebration. The inspiration behind this initiative stems from the challenging experiences faced by transgender individuals in accessing healthcare services, primarily driven by apprehension, discomfort, and the pervasive specter of discrimination and societal stigmatization.
The newly inaugurated OPD will offer specialized services tailored to the unique needs of transgender individuals every Friday, between 2 pm and 4 pm, featuring a dedicated registration counter for their convenience. Within this groundbreaking facility, transgender patients will have access to endocrinology services encompassing hormone analysis and complimentary hormonal treatment, as well as a psychiatry wing equipped for clinical-psychological assessments. Additionally, plastic surgery, dermatology, urology, and pediatrics services, along with comprehensive blood investigations, will be readily available. Furthermore, the facility includes gender-neutral and transgender-friendly restroom facilities.
Dr. Ajay Shukla, the medical superintendent of RML Hospital, inaugurated the dedicated OPD and underscored the importance of this endeavor. He noted that the initiative was born out of a genuine concern: the noticeable absence of transgender individuals seeking healthcare services in government-run facilities. This void prompted his investigation, revealing that transgender individuals predominantly sought medical care in private healthcare settings. Given the financial constraints that deter many from accessing private healthcare, a substantial portion of the transgender community remains devoid of essential medical services.
Dr. Shukla said, “I spoke to some transgender groups and found that they feel stigmatized. They feel uncomfortable in availing medical care along with other people in public spaces”. He articulated the principle that government hospitals must remain accessible to every stratum of society, driving the establishment of this distinct OPD to ensure equitable healthcare access for transgender individuals. Dr Shukla said, “Government hospitals need to be accessible for every section of society and this is the motivation behind opening a separate OPD to provide healthcare services for the transgenders”.
This pioneering step has evoked a sense of jubilation and gratitude among transgender rights advocates and activists. Sanjana Simon, a prominent trans rights activist and author, lauded RML Hospital’s decision to create a dedicated and special OPD, examination room, and assistance desk tailored to the transgender community. She said, “It is indeed a matter of great joy for the entire transgender community as such a known government hospital has started a separate and special OPD, examination room and helping window for the transgender community”.
Simon underscored the discomfort and anxiety experienced by transgender individuals when confronted with binary gender lines in healthcare settings, which often result in mistreatment and indignities at the hands of cisgender individuals and staff members. She acknowledged that the inauguration of this specialized facility by RML Hospital represents a historic milestone that has long been advocated and essential for the well-being and dignity of the transgender community.
