Manipal Hospitals breaks barriers by offering services to transgender community

Bengaluru, March 30, 2022: For members of the transgender community, gender discrimination had made medical care an uphill task. There are few rejections by many medical providers/practitioners because of their gender, as well as gender choices. However, Manipal Hospitals has always offered exclusive services for the transgender community. The Group has made efforts to break the barrier and bridge the gap between trans individuals and medical practitioners for the betterment of their physical and mental health. Manipal Hospitals has done this initiative without bias or gender discrimination. In continuance of this service, Manipal Hospitals will be launching a teleconsultation service on the occasion of Transgender Day of Visibility on 31st March.
 
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Karthik Rajagopal, COO, Manipal Hospitals, said, “We understand the challenges faced by transgenders, and Manipal Hospitals has always been on the forefront to break the monotony. We will ease the process to reach out for any medical support. We want every member of the trans community to break their silence and share the needs with our Medical experts. This is an attempt by Manipal Hospitals to clear the medical roadblocks for transgenders and to come forward and openly share their health issues. We, at Manipal Hospitals, are making an effort to provide medical care to the community in a timely and cost-effective manner.”
 
On this day Manipal Hospitals welcomes the transgender community to voice their health concerns. The initiative has already witnessed 60 members lined up for the consultation services. Among the 60, are renowned transgender activists. One of them is Akkai Padmashali, a transgender activist and the first transgender person in Karnataka to register their marriage. Along with Akkai Padmashali, other transgender activists too will participate in the teleconsultation program.
 
Speaking on the initiative, Akkai Padmashali, said, “Manipal Hospitals has always remained unique in their initiative and have supported us by covering up to 3000 members for vaccination as a value add, celebrated National Days by honouring as the chief guest. The video consultation with a nominal fee of INR 250 is definitely a welcoming platform to our trans community. I myself have registered  for consultation and appreciate the efforts of the doctors who will be addressing on mental health specifically and the general health issues with gender transformation surgeries.”
 
Teleconsultations will be initiated from the 31st March, and continue till 2nd April 2022 from 10 am to 5 pm. Specialists from the hospital will answer the queries of the transgender community.
 
According to the census of 2011, India has almost 4.88 lakh, transgender persons. Sadly, the medical care they have received from the medical fraternity is the bare minimum. To break this barrier, Manipal Hospitals has come forward with this initiative to enable the community to speak out on issues related to skin inferiority, voice feminization surgery, sexual reassignment surgeries, the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, and discussing their sexual choices and genital-related concerns without any fear of judgement.
 
The teleconsultation program is curated for their comfort with an easy 2-step registration process and assures 100% confidentiality. It is time members of the trans community spoke about their health concerns with experts. Manipal Hospitals is helping do just that.