Making trans-gender healthcare a priority in India-journey towards social inclusion

Abstract

Introduction: Transgender includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities. Any normal parent expects a binary outcome out of the nine months long pregnancy, however, for some, life changes when the expected outcome is different. Objective: The article tends to understand the life of transgender/Hijra in India with respect to specific healthcare needs along with constitutional mechanism to extend them their legal rights. Method: The researcher reviewed available literature to analyse the issues and challenges in accessing healthcare services by the transgender community. Grey literature and qualitative methods like consultation/ interviews with communities and subject experts were also done to supplement the study outcomes. Results: The study shows that after a long movement, transgender were formally given recognition in 21st century in India. Currently, we have a number to begin with. WHO’s ICD-11 included “gender identity disorders” as “gender incongruence” in its new chapter on sexual health. Interactions with key experts and community reveals different specific needs of transgender population. Conclusion: Five points as way forward to improve health care accessibility of transgender in India: Creating an enabling environment before the next Census in India; addressing stigma and other issues that make transgender people vulnerable to health risks; extending equal human and legal rights to transgender; revising the medical curriculum so as to include a chapter on transgender health; and No Me Without Me.