Legal Recognition: NALSA vs. Union of India (2014) granted legal recognition, emphasizing fundamental rights and healthcare for transgender people.
Legislative Steps: The Transgender Persons Act (2019) and Rules (2020) mandated holistic healthcare, sensitization, and equal opportunities in healthcare institutions.
Challenges in Implementation and a Step Forward
Existing Barriers: Structural issues impede healthcare access, with a lack of trained professionals and exclusionary infrastructure.
Private Initiatives: Some private providers offer gender-affirming services, but government hospitals, including AIIMS, have been largely hesitant.
AIIMS Initiative: The plan for a Centre of Excellence at AIIMS-Delhi is a positive step, addressing some needs but not a complete solution.
Moving Beyond Tertiary Care and Legal Imperatives
Misplaced Focus: The Transgender Act's insistence on surgery contradicts the NALSA judgment, leading to a misplaced focus on tertiary care.
Legal Recognition Concerns: Legal requirements for surgery hinder the broader goal of recognizing diverse gender identities without coercion.
Call for Inclusive Healthcare: Instead of a singular center, all government medical institutions should provide gender-affirming services, emphasizing inclusivity at grassroots levels