Challenges in Accessing Healthcare for Transgender and Gender-Diverse People
Accessing healthcare remains a significant challenge for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, as highlighted by the experiences of Manohar, a transgender man from Tamil Nadu, among others.
Barriers Faced
- Judgement and Discrimination:
- Transgender individuals often face judgment and denial of care based on their appearance and identity.
- Prejudices from healthcare professionals can result in misgendering and the requirement for "recognition" certificates for treatment.
- Limited Understanding and Research:
- The healthcare system often lacks understanding of trans men and gender-diverse identities, which affects the quality of care.
- Medical professionals may not provide affirmative care, treating gender incongruence as a disorder.
- Systemic Bias:
- Healthcare providers often adhere to binary gender norms, leading to ridicule and hostility towards trans individuals.
- Trans men face patriarchal biases, such as refusal of hysterectomies for those who have not birthed children.
Hormone Therapy and Self-Medication
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
- Inadequate guidance and lack of awareness among medical professionals about hormone effects and risks.
- Patients often resort to self-medication due to the unavailability of affirming healthcare providers.
- Risks and Oversight:
- Self-medication can lead to serious side effects like kidney problems, heart attack, and diabetes.
- There is a lack of oversight and tailored guidelines regarding hormone dosages linked to body weight.
Recommendations and Progress
- Need for Structured Training:
- Calls for evidence-based, peer-reviewed protocols for healthcare providers.
- WPATH protocols are recommended globally, yet training and implementation lag in India.
- Community-Based Approach:
- Involvement of individuals with lived experiences in healthcare delivery systems is crucial.
- Periodic gender sensitization training is conducted by the Tamil Nadu government with NGO support.
- Legal and Advocacy Efforts:
- Petitions in courts to improve healthcare protocols and SOPs for trans individuals.
- Ongoing efforts to refine medical practices as the field of transgender healthcare evolves.
