Pune Sassoon hospital to get dedicated OPD for Transgender Community

Pune: In an effort to achieve a better future and equal rights for all, Sassoon General Hospital in Pune has decided to form an outpatient department (OPD) devoted exclusively to transgender patients.

Thinking of changing its services, the hospital wrote a letter assuring that a separate OPD for the transgender community will be established soon in the hospital. In the letter, the hospital also mentioned creating a three-member committee to check if there is discrimination against transgenders in the hospital.

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According to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which was passed by Parliament in November 2019, and came into effect on 11 January 2020, it protects transgender individuals against discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare. It recognizes the gender identity of the individual, and there are provisions in the law for a certificate to be issued with their new gender identity.

While the OPD issue has been addressed by the hospital, issues related to other matters remain unspoken. While many raised voices for the community, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Vandana Chavan had recently showed his concern over the serious issues that needed to solve for the community which also includes building separate toilets for them and the health treatments as he has noticed that some of them are suffering from HIV.

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Highlighting the issue, Chavan told HT "I, along with a few members of the transgender community, had written a letter to Sassoon hospital and put forth various demands pertaining to this community. The hospital then formed a three-member committee to check if there is discrimination against transgenders at the hospital. The hospital in a letter has assured that they will form a dedicated OPD for this community," said Chavan.

Chavan added, "The transgender community faces several health issues. Due to financial constraints, most of them visit Sassoon hospital. But, when they are at the OPD, they are being stared at. Also, there is the issue of toilets. Considering this, I had put forth the demands. The hospital has been prompt in its decision."