
Mumbai: Maharashtra’s pioneering transgender ward at Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital (GT Hospital), launched in February 2023, is facing challenges, with only 13 admissions recorded in the past two years. Despite the 40-bed ward being equipped and ready to serve the transgender community, it remains mostly vacant, and the few available staff members work in shifts, but no doctors are assigned to the ward full-time.
Challenges with Utilization:
Hospital officials had initially hoped for a significant impact, as the ward’s opening had been well-publicized, and consultations had been held with members of the transgender community. However, the anticipated influx of patients has not materialized. One doctor at GT Hospital mentioned that while they offer medical attention to anyone who visits, the responsibility of attracting patients does not fall on the hospital staff. Some have even suggested that the space be repurposed for specialized services like cardiology or nephrology, while still maintaining a smaller transgender care unit of about 15 beds.
Community Insights:
According to community worker Vasavi Chilaka, who works with Teiveni Samaj in Malwani, most transgender people in Mumbai, aged between 19 and 35, do not face significant health issues. Many older transgender individuals with health concerns tend to visit established hospitals like Sion or KEM, which have long been frequented by the community. Additionally, while the transgender ward is appreciated, Vasavi believes that a more in-depth needs assessment and consultation with hospital authorities are required to adjust the services offered to better suit the community’s healthcare needs.
Shifting Priorities:
For many younger transgender individuals, medical priorities revolve around appearance-based treatments, such as hormonal therapy, laser therapy, sex reassignment surgery, and breast implants. Aarohi W, a transgender programme manager at Humsafar Trust, noted that healthcare services tailored to appearance often take precedence, which could explain the low uptake of specialized services such as voice transition at JJ Hospital. Despite the free voice transition service launched at JJ Hospital, only two individuals have utilized it, highlighting the gap between available services and the community’s immediate needs.
Future Outlook:
Dr. Jitendra Sakpal, GT Hospital’s dean, assured that there are no plans to close the transgender ward. However, he emphasized that it might be necessary to reconsider how the ward is operated and its current scale to better meet the community’s needs. The lack of awareness about services like the voice change procedure at JJ Hospital further compounds the issue, as highlighted by Sakshi Mane from Humsafar Trust.
While the initiative has been recognized as a positive step for the transgender community, experts and advocates stress the need for further assessment and a more tailored approach to ensure that such services address the real healthcare needs of the community.