All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi *FREE TREATMENT AND SURGERY FOR TRANS*

Greetings once again,

As promised in the previous post, here is the latest update from my recent visits to two prominent hospitals in Delhi, RML and AIIMS, prompted by information gleaned from various sources including YouTube, forums, and a telegram group.

My experience at RML Hospital was disappointing, starting from interactions with the ground staff to senior faculty. The lack of transparency and proper communication led me to not recommend it until improvements are made in these aspects.

Conversely, my visit to AIIMS proved informative, as I gained valuable insights from the attending doctor.

For those seeking appointments at AIIMS, it's imperative to physically visit the AIIMS New RAK OPD (Rajkumari Amrit Kaur OPD Block) in Delhi. Due to the high volume of patients, securing an appointment may require advanced planning, particularly if applying online through the government portal, where appointments open at midnight at 12 AM.

At present, only one endocrinologist specializes in treating transgender patients at AIIMS. He allocates time for five new patients every Monday, prioritizing privacy and confidentiality I cannot mention his name here. Additionally, a team of psychiatrists evaluates patients, who are then referred back to the endocrinologist with a gender dysphoria (GD) certificate to commence Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). After one year of HRT, patients are referred back to the psychiatrist before being considered for surgery.

For new patients or those on HRT for over a year, the process unfolds as follows:

1. Consultation with the Endocrinologist: Necessary tests are conducted to determine eligibility for HRT or surgery.

2. Evaluation by Psychiatrist: Following the endocrinologist's referral, patients undergo assessment, leading to the issuance of a GD certificate if deemed suitable. This certificate facilitates the initiation of HRT by the endocrinologist or referral to the surgery department.

3-A. Commencement of HRT: Patients receive treatment from the endocrinologist and, after a year, are referred back to the psychiatrist for further assessment and certification for surgery.

3-B. Surgery: Patients recommended for surgery are directed to the AIIMS Casualty/Emergency block, where experienced surgeons perform a range of transgender-related surgeries.

It's essential to note that AIIMS does not charge consultation fees apart from the initial payment for the OPD slip appointment. Medications and consultations are provided free of charge. However, implants used during surgery and certain expensive medications/injections for HRT may incur charges which would be subsidized. Private room accommodations and other amenities may also entail additional charges.

In summary, to ensure a smooth process:

- Schedule an appointment with the Endocrinologist for a consultation on Monday.

- Be prepared to undergo evaluations by the endocrinologist and psychiatrist which will not incur any cost.

- Bring medical records and documentation if transferring from another doctor to AIIMS.

- Collaborate with the psychiatry and surgery departments as needed.

I hope this update proves helpful. Until next time!

Bangalore to Delhi and Back to Bangalore

Hey you !

It's been a while since I last posted. Recently, in May 2024, I visited New Delhi, our nation's capital. I had the chance to meet a lot of bureaucrats who are working on improving the lives of transgender individuals. I also have some medical updates to share, but I'll save those for the next post. This one is all about my meetings with the officials.

First, I stopped by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. I spoke with a senior bureaucrat there, who gave me some hope. They mentioned a few small changes, notifications, and guidelines for district officials who handle the transgender identity cards and certificates. I asked about the binary gender marker ID card, and they explained that the 2019 Act requires surgery for a binary gender marker. But in 2020, they updated the rules so that now you just need a medical certificate for gender dysphoria to apply for a binary gender certificate.

They're also planning to create a proper format for the transgender ID cards so they can be printed and laminated like regular ID cards.

When it comes to scholarships, there's still nothing decided yet. The same goes for the Garima Greh scheme. As for the Composite Medical Health Scheme, they need to talk with the Ministry of Family Health and Welfare, the Director General of Health Services, and the National Health Authority before they can implement any health policies.

Next, I visited another ministry that deals with medical affairs. They told me that medical issues are mostly handled by state governments, so the central government can't do much directly. But they are working on new policies and a health package for transgender individuals under the Ayushmann Bharat scheme. It's hard to say when this will happen, but it might be after the next elections. Meanwhile, we can keep hoping and maybe write letters to push for quicker action or some interim relief.

Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly on my trip. I had two really bad experiences. Once, near my hotel in Delhi, I was catcalled, and another time, when I was in an auto, the same thing happened. Then, when I got back to Bangalore and was waiting for an auto to take me home, an old guy kept touching his groin area and trying to call me over. I felt disgusted, angry, and concerned about such behavior. It made me reflect on the challenges people from outside Bangalore might face when they visit here.

But aside from those three incidents, everything else was good

Thanks for reading, and I'll be back soon with more updates!