Even medical fraternity gives a raw deal to third gender

Payal Gwalani / May 25, 2016, 03:01 IST

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Even medical fraternity gives a raw deal to third gender

Nagpur: Though they may have legal recognition and acknowledgement, people who identify themselves as third gender get a raw deal from public health system in the country. The myths and misconceptions prevalent among the general public about the community also prevail among healthcare professionals, leading to widespread discrimination against the community at hospitals and clinics.

Some doctors from the city were recently made aware of problems faced by the third gender persons. The sensitivity workshop organized by city-based NGO Sarathi Trust under the Project Diva floated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was attended by members of the third gender community and volunteers other than the doctors who work for Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).
“It has been more than two years that the Supreme Court recognized the third gender and gave them a few rights. One provision made by the court was a separate ward for the third gender community, like those for males and females, in public hospitals. However, this has not been provided in any public hospital yet,” said Nikunj Joshi, CEO of the trust.
A transgender herself and a resource person for the workshop Avi Ganvir informed the participants how most hospital staffers were rude and openly showed repulsion when they get transgender or Hijra patients. “The emotional and physical problems of the people from the community are also very different from others,” she said.

Transgender activist Vidya Kamble added the behaviour of staff of public hospitals is especially bad. She said more interaction among the medical community and the third gender community could help sort out most problems.
“The community has very high ratio of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Many have health issues when going through any stage of sex reassignment surgery (SRS),” informed Dr Milind Bhrushundi who deals with several members of the community.

He told the doctors it was important for the medical community to deal with the community for bringing down HIV infection rate in the country. “If we build a good rapport with the community, it can help encourage them to come for regular follow ups and be honest about their medical history,” he said.
PROVISIONS MADE BY SC

All major documents to have third gender option, with the idea of bringing members of the community into mainstream
Recognition of third gender as other backward classes, and provision of associated educational and employment opportunities
Central and state governments asked to devise social welfare schemes for members of third gender and take care of medical requirements
Government asked to run public awareness campaigns aimed at removing social stigma and discrimination against hijras and transgenders
Separate facilities for third gender in public toilets, hospitals and other such places

COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS FROM HEATHCARE PROVIDERS

Not subject them to discrimination
Build separate wards for them in hospitals
Understand the physical, emotional and social issues faced by the community
Conduct more studies about their physical and mental issues
Encourage the community to give more attention to their health as they are vulnerable to many sexually transmitted infections including HIV

About the Author

Payal Gwalani

Payal Gwalani, a reporter for Times of India's Nagpur edition, covers health and weather. Almost every weekend, one can find her attending CMEs with the city doctors. She loves reading fiction novels, surfing through blogs and watching television. Besides writing news reports, she also writes poetry.

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