The treatment of transgenders in the society is well known, they are treated differently because their body displays a different gender but their thinking behaves like the other gender. According to AIIMS doctors, transgender or non-binary persons are born like any other child. Just as boys are born as boys and girls are born as girls, similarly these children are also physically normal but gradually they realize that their gender identity does not match with the sex assigned at the time of their birth. They feel that they should have been a boy or a girl in a different way, and with this thinking they come to the Transgender Clinic of AIIMS New Delhi, where they are being treated. Such cases are coming to AIIMS every day and gender is being changed.
Regarding this, AIIMS Delhi Prof. Rajesh Khadgawat of Endocrinology Department It is said that AIIMS is an institute that provides holistic care for transgenders under one roof, this includes hormonal therapy, mental health assessment and surgical intervention. He said that now patients do not have to visit different hospitals. AIIMS provides a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to transgender treatment.
How is the treatment done?
Explaining the role of endocrinology, Prof. Khadgawat said that gender-related physical characteristics largely depend on hormones. When a transgender person comes to us, he is first given hormonal treatment. For example, if a person who was considered female at birth wants to transition to a male, then we reduce female hormones and give male hormones from outside. These hormonal treatments cause gradual physical changes.
He further explained that in the female-to-male transition, beard and mustache start growing on the face and the voice becomes heavy, whereas in the male-to-female transition, breasts develop and the body structure starts changing. Along with having a feminine mindset, her body also reflects femininity.
Is there a need for surgery and counselling?
Not only endocrinology but also psychiatry and surgery have a special role in this process of gender change. Head of Psychiatry Department at AIIMS Delhi, Prof. Pratap Saran told that the clinic conducts evaluation in three stages. He said, ‘First we decide whether gender inconsistency exists or not. In the second phase, the person is monitored for at least one year to ensure continuity in their gender identity. This observation period also includes real-life or social transitions.
Pro. Saran explained that a person has to live and function in social life as per the gender with which he identifies. Only after this continuous process do we issue certificates, so that they can undergo major gender-affirming surgeries.
On which organs is surgery possible?
Regarding surgery, Prof. of Burns and Plastic Surgery Department of AIIMS Delhi. Manish Singhal told that gender-affirming surgery is done in several stages according to the needs of the patient. These can range from breast surgery to complex genital reconstruction, including penis reconstruction. The important thing is that these surgeries are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which significantly reduces the financial burden on the patients.
AIIMS doctors say the presence of a large number of new registrations and follow-up patients every year shows that there is a need for long-term and continuous health services for the transgender community. However, with multidisciplinary expertise, ethical protocols and government-backed financial support, AIIMS Delhi is steadily strengthening its role as a leading national center for inclusive, evidence-based and sensitive transgender care.
