India's first dedicated outpatient department (OPD) for the transgender community was inaugurated at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. The initiative aims to address the difficulties faced by transgender individuals in accessing healthcare services due to discomfort, fear of discrimination, and social stigma. The special OPD will be available every Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., with a separate registration counter for transgender patients.
The OPD will provide a range of services, including endocrinology with hormone analysis and free hormonal treatment, psychiatry with clinical-psychological assessment, plastic surgery, dermatology, urology, paediatrics, and related blood investigations. Additionally, the OPD will have gender-neutral and transgender restroom facilities.
Dr. Ajay Shukla, the medical superintendent of RML Hospital, initiated the special OPD and a blood donation camp to commemorate PM Modi's birthday. Dr. Shukla expressed his motivation for launching the OPD, stating that he rarely saw transgender individuals seeking treatment in government facilities and discovered that they often sought treatment in private healthcare facilities due to feeling stigmatised and uncomfortable in public spaces.
The launch of the dedicated OPD is seen as a significant step towards making government hospitals accessible to all sections of society. Trans rights activist and author Sanjana Simon praised the initiative, stating that the transgender community often feels frightened and insulted in hospitals and public areas due to gender-biassed rules. Simon described the opening of the special OPD as a historic decision that has been long-awaited and demanded by the transgender community.
The establishment of India's first dedicated OPD for transgender individuals at RML Hospital is a positive development in addressing the healthcare needs of this marginalised community. By providing specialised services and creating a safe and inclusive environment, the OPD aims to alleviate the barriers faced by transgender individuals in accessing healthcare and promote their overall well-being.
Image Source : X
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
