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Source: The post healthcare for transgender people has been created on the article “No, one Centre of Excellence in Transgender Care is not enough” published in “Indian express” on 5th December 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2- Governance- mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
News: The article discusses the need for better healthcare for transgender people in India. It talks about legal changes, the lack of proper healthcare facilities, and the importance of inclusive services. AIIMS Delhi’s plan for a specialized center is highlighted, but more widespread action is needed.
Who is Transgender?
According to World Health Organization, Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and expression does not conform to the norms and expectations traditionally associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
As per the Census of 2011, the total population of Transgender in India is 4.9 lakh.
The highest proportion of the trans-gender population, about 28%, has been identified in Uttar Pradesh followed by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
For more information on Transgender read here
What are the issues with transgender healthcare in India?
Historical Discrimination: Transgender individuals in India historically face marginalization and lack access to healthcare due to discrimination and unscientific practices.
Gaps in State Healthcare Policies: State policies have not effectively ensured access to healthcare for the transgender community, especially in primary and secondary care.
Mandatory Surgery for Gender Recognition: The Transgender Act requires transgender individuals to undergo surgery to change their gender within male-female binaries, which contradicts the NALSA judgment that states surgery should not be mandatory for declaring one’s gender.
Limited Role of Government Hospitals: While private providers offer gender-affirming procedures, government hospitals, including AIIMS, have been less involved in providing these services.
What government initiatives are in place to improve transgender healthcare in India?
Legal Recognition and Healthcare Directions: NALSA v Union of India (2014) judgment legally recognized transgender individuals, the Supreme Court directed central and state governments to ensure medical care catering to mental, sexual, and reproductive health.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: This act reinforced the government’s role in providing holistic healthcare services to the transgender community. This includes necessary procedures like sex reassignment surgery and hormone therapy, along with counseling and HIV sero-surveillance.
Transgender Persons Rules, 2020: These rules specifically instructed state governments to provide separate wards and washrooms for transgender people in hospitals by 2022. It also emphasized the sensitization of healthcare professionals and required establishments to publish an equal opportunity policy and appoint a complaint officer.
AIIMS’s Planned Centre of Excellence: AIIMS, New Delhi, has announced its intention to open a Centre of Excellence for transgender healthcare in 2024, a significant step towards specialized healthcare services for the transgender community.
Way forward
To improve transgender healthcare in India, all government medical colleges and hospitals should offer gender-affirming services. This includes accessible primary and secondary care. Medical education needs to be revised for inclusivity. More grassroots healthcare centers, tailored to transgender needs, are crucial. These should complement specialized centers like AIIMS’s proposed Centre of Excellence.
Question for practice:
Examine the current status and challenges of transgender healthcare in India.
