Telangana's dedicated Maitri clinics make healthcare accessible, affordable for transgender persons across the state.
Published Dec 18, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 18, 2024 | 9:00 AM
The clinic at Osmania General Hospital was opened on 5 July 2023.
The 33 Maitri clinics launched in Telangana on 2 December are drawing patients from the transgender community from within and outside the state.
The Maitri clinics across the state aim to provide healthcare to transgender people. Apart from the two clinics in Hyderabad, the government-run one at Osmania General Hospital, and a private clinic at Naraynaguda, Maitri clinics would serve as nodal points for easy access to healthcare for the community.
The precursor to the clinics came up in the Osmania General Hospital in July 2023. Following its establishment, the clinic has become an important resource for the transgender community, with people coming there from across Telangana’s districts and other states.
Dr Neelaveni K, Head of Department of the Endocrinology Department at Osmania General Hospital, was nominated to head the nascent clinic located in a small room on the ground floor in July 2023.
“The clinic began on 5 July 2023 and has done well until now. So far, over 100 transgender individuals have registered with us and benefitted from the hormonal therapy for free,” Dr Neelaveni explained.
“We cater to both, transgender males and females providing both testosterone and estrogen hormonal therapy,” she said, adding that the clinic also undertook hysterectomies (a surgical procedure to remove the uterus).
“The Telangana government is committed to the health of transgender individuals. The Maitri clinics are an example of that. Not just the state, there is support from the Department of Medical Education as well,” she informed South First.
Dr Neelaveni explained that Osmania General Hospital provided tertiary care across disciplines like urology, dermatology, and plastic surgery among others.
“We also provide psychiatry services, which is crucial to transgender persons,” she said. “This enables us to ensure good care for the transgender people,” she said.
She noted that the treatment was often free of cost. “When we need to run some diagnostic tests that we cannot provide, or some medicines which we don’t have in stock, the patients need to spend from their pocket,” she said.
Dr Navyaja Rao, an Assistant Professor of psychiatry, said that every patient first undergoes a screening for gender dysmorphia. “We aim to rule out issues like depression and anxiety in a preliminary assessment. If they have any comorbidities, we put them on medications before proceeding with the therapy,” she explained.
“A majority of the patients who come here are in their early 20s. They often face rejection from their peers and family and require support from the onset of puberty. We even do follow-up psychiatric sessions to screen for other comorbidities,” Dr Rao added.
Staff at the clinic further explained that they have to debrief the patient regarding the potential side effects of receiving Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy.
“We screen the patient for diabetes, and hypertension, and get their lipid and liver profiles. After this, we explain the kind of side effects they may face like thyroid among others,” they informed.
They further informed that the duration of one’s sessions differs vastly on a case-to-case basis.
Anjali is a 21-year-old transwoman visiting the clinic for the past nine months. A student, she finds the clinic an affordable and accessible option to avail of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy.
“I tried a private clinic. However, it used to cost me about ₹3,000 per session,” she revealed.
She also explained that not everyone had the means to access healthcare, especially transgender people.
“Starting the Maithri clinics is a welcome initiative that allows transgender people in the districts to also avail of healthcare,” she stated. Anjali added that she knew many individuals arriving from states like Maharashtra to avail of the treatment at the hospital, emphasising its impact.
However, she did identify one primary issue with the clinic. “While the treatment is at Osmania General Hospital, I have to obtain a certificate from the Institute of Mental Health before proceeding with the treatment. This is despite the psychiatric screening happening at the hospital,” she said.
She opined that the redundancy should be addressed, making the process much more streamlined.
“The initiative was first tabled during the earlier BRS regime,” transgender rights activist Rachana Mudraboyina explained. “However, it got delayed due to clashes regarding its implementation,” she stated.
“Then, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we met Rahul Gandhi to submit a representation regarding transgender health. Subsequently, in November, during the Telangana Caste Census, we were informed that the clinics would come up soon,” Mudraboyina added.
She detailed how she was part of the team responsible for sensitizing and orienting the doctors and staff who would work at the transgender clinics statewide.
“It makes for a great nodal point for transgender persons to access healthcare,” she observed, adding that, people from the community would also help in the clinics’ operations.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
