India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 18 March 2024
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up a ten-member committee to monitor the healthcare facilities and challenges faced by the transgender population in civic-run hospitals.
The committee, comprising doctors from gynecology, urology, psychiatry, endocrinology, plastic surgery, general surgery, and forensic departments, will have monthly meetings to discuss and address the healthcare concerns of the transgender community.
The committee's first meeting was held on February 26, under the chairmanship of Dr Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Municipal Commissioner. It was attended by the National Network of Transgenders (NNT) representing the community.
The event was graced by the deans of all four medical colleges and the heads of gynecology, plastic surgery, general surgery, urology, psychiatry, and forensic medicine departments.
“The meeting was convened to delve into the healthcare issues faced by transgender patients in civic-run hospitals and how we can improve it,” said a senior BMC health official. The panel will hold regular meetings and procure drugs, especially hormonal preparations, required for the transgender population.
The healthcare staff will be sensitized to treat all transgender patients with dignity and free of charge, as per the government law, added Dr Shinde. The committee's study is expected to give periodic recommendations for the treatment of transgender patients and update clinicians about the newer legal concerns.
Although the state-run GT Hospital has a dedicated ward for transgender people, the NNT has stated that it does not require a separate ward in civic-run hospitals.
The city has around 70,000 transgender persons. “We do not feel the need for a separate ward. Treating us with dignity is all required,” said President Priya Patil, NNT. “LTMG Sion Hospital and Dr RN Cooper Hospital are doing sex-change surgeries for transgender people. We requested that the treatment should be free.”
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