Hyderabad: The city is now home to the first two transgender clinics in the country.
These are part of the Union government’s plans to have exclusive transgender clinics in different metro cities as mandated in the Transgender Persons Act, 2019. On why Hyderabad was chosen for the first clinic, trans activist Rachana Mudraboyina says the HIV prevalence among transgender people in Hyderabad was one reason.
“The HIV prevalence among transgenders here is 6.47 per cent compared with the national average of 3.13 per cent. India is a partner in the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) shared objectives on health outcomes and partners with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) to eradicate AIDS by 2030. The USAID Accelerate project too is providing technical assistance to NACO in its efforts,” Mudraboyina points out.
“The Hyderabad Transgender Community Clinic very well fits into the USAID’s mission and objectives of the Accelerate project to prevent HIV and support antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment services among transgenders. The clinic also strives to improve the socioeconomic status of the community and take care of overall wellbeing,” she says, adding that the first clinic was opened in Narayanguda on January 29 and the second on July 11 in Jeedimetla.
The specific target group for the clinic services — but not limited to transgenders — are the various identities under the transgender umbrella such as hijras, trans men, cross-dressers, gender non-conforming people, jogtis and shiva shaktis.
The clinical services are being promoted among the transgender community, with social and sexual networking sites/apps also being engaged for the purpose. Transgender and Hijra leaders are being used as ambassadors to advocate the various services being offered in the clinic.
The clinic is completely led by trans representatives, she says, adding that this helps in spreading a positive message among the community about the friendly environment and staff.
“Both the doctors Dr Prachi and Dr Ruth are qualified MBBS and identify themselves as trans individuals. The clinic takes care of general health services, guidance and medication on hormone therapy and gender affirmation procedures; mental health counselling; HIV/STI counselling, prevention and treatment services; legal aid and social protection services. Referral linkages are being explored with private clinics for gender-affirmation surgeries at a subsidised cost,” Mudraboyina adds.
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