In a move to encourage healthcare accessibility and inclusivity, Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital yesterday inaugurated India's first dedicated Outpatient Department (OPD) for the transgender community.

The initiative is started with understanding of the difficulties encountered by transgender community to access healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination and social apathy.

The inaugural ceremony was led by Professor Dr. Ajay Shukla, Director, RML Hospital, who laid stress on the significance of providing equitable healthcare services to the transgender community.

"Transgender individuals were facing numerous difficulties in accessing our hospital's services. I spoke to some transgender groups and found that they feel stigmatised. They feel uncomfortable in availing medical care along with other people in public spaces," Dr Shukla said.

At India’s first dedicated OPD for transgenders, they will be provided with following facilities in the speciality OPD clinic:

Free Treatment, investigations and sex change surgery.

Speciality OPD clinic for transgenders will be every Friday 2 to 4 p.m.

Separate OPD registration counter for these clinics to facilitate smooth process.

Endocrinology facility with Clinico-psychological assessment.

Plastic surgery facility for various related surgeries.

Dermatology facility for related issues.

Medicine (Physician) facility for various diseases.

Urology facility for various related problems.

Paediatrics facility for related issues.

All other related Blood investigations.

Separate washroom facility (Toilet for Gender Neutral/Transgender).

The initiative was appreciated by the Transgender community.