Organised by an NGO, the camp provided free counselling sessions, dental checkup and several medical test to LGBTQIA+ community people.
Dr Ruth John Paul, Dr Praachi Rathore and Dr Farook Ali at a panel discussion. (Ajay Tomar/South First)
A health camp for the LGBTQIA+ community to address their issues was held at the Phoenix Arena in Hyderabad’s HITEC city on Saturday, 12 March. The camp was held a day before the Centre filed a 56-page affidavit in the Supreme Court against same-sex marriage.
The medical camp was organised by the Hyderabad-based non-profit Queer Nilayam, on its second anniversary.
The organisers said around 400 LGBTQIA+ members attended the event and underwent counselling on hormonal therapy, gender dysphoria, and HIV/STD/STI tests.
A free dental check-up and other medical tests such as BMI, diabetes, and cholesterol were also conducted as part of the camp.
“Here, people from the community, including myself, can express our issues without the fear of being prejudiced. This is not the case in many other places, where the LGBTQIA+ phobia prevails,” Jayant aka Jojo, who co-founded Queer Nilayam in July 2021, told South First.
Dr Ruth John Paul at a counselling session. (Ajay Tomar/South First)
Three doctors attended the camp. The panel of doctors included three experts, including Dr Ruth John Paul and Dr Praachi Rathore, Telangana’s first two transgender doctors to get government jobs in November last.
The third doctor, Dr Farook Ali, advised the community members to be cautious while taking hormonal injections.
“It can cause nausea, severe headache, cramps and pain. They can also cause cancer in seven to eight percent cases,” Ali told South First.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) do not happen due to the sexuality of a person, a prevailing myth in the LGBTQIA+ community, the doctors opined.
“It happens due to lifestyle change. One should not neglect periods at all and keep a note of every small change, including the menstrual cycle,” Dr Rathore said.
Dr Paul asked the LGBTQIA+ community not to panic. The doctor said even children are diagnosed with PCOD and PCOS these days.
Several medical services were provided at the health camp. (Ajay Tomar/South First)
The doctors also stressed the importance of sensitising people to HIV.
“There is a general perception among the LGBTQIA+ community that HIV spreads fast like Covid-19,” Dr Rathore said.
She added that there is no need to be afraid of the virus as treatment is now available.
“Medicines should be taken regularly,” Dr Paul said.
Dr Ali stressed the need for undergoing tests every three to six months.
“Treat every small health issue as a symptom, especially the queer men. Even small symptoms like a body rash,” he added.
It is believed that LGBTQIA+ members take to liquor and other intoxicating materials to overcome stress due to the issues that they face.
“Consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food should be minimal to avoid cardiac arrest. Even if one has a minor chest pain, s/he should consult a doctor and get an ECG done,” Dr Ali said.
He advised regular breathing exercises to avoid cardiac issues.
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