AIIMS Bhopal’s Transgender Clinic Emerges as a Model of Inclusive Healthcare

AIIMS Bhopal’s Transgender Clinic Emerges as a Model of Inclusive Healthcare

Bhopal. All India  Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, under the leadership of its Executive Director Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh, continues to play a leading role not only in medical excellence but also in advancing inclusive healthcare services. In this direction, the institute’s multidisciplinary Transgender Clinic (TGC) has successfully completed over one year of dedicated service. This clinic is the first of its kind among AIIMS institutions, providing integrated, comprehensive, and compassionate care for individuals experiencing gender incongruence. The multidisciplinary clinic functions through a collaborative approach involving the departments of Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Urology, Plastic Surgery, and Gynecology. So far, the clinic has conducted a total of 66 consultations, including 22 new clients and 44 follow-up visits. Currently, six individuals are undergoing hormonal therapy, one has completed gender-affirming surgery, and another is in the pre-surgical evaluation stage. The clinic operates twice a month—on the first and third Thursdays—offering a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment for both adolescents and adults. A key highlight of this initiative is the robust partnership with Anmol Samaj Sevi Sanstha, an NGO actively engaged in community outreach, referrals, and support. With the help of this organization, individuals identifying as MTF (male-to-female) and FTM (female-to-male) from various parts of Central India are being encouraged to seek quality, sensitive, and timely medical care. The clinic also provides psychological counselling, family therapy, and peer support to help ease the emotional and social challenges of gender transition. Looking ahead, AIIMS Bhopal and Anmol Samaj Sevi Sanstha plan to launch a community-participatory awareness campaign in Bhopal. This initiative aims to enhance visibility of available services, reduce stigma and treatment hesitancy, and dispel myths related to gender incongruence. Families and friends are also being trained and oriented to better support individuals during their transition journey.

Highlighting the significance of the Transgender Clinic, Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh said, “The Transgender Clinic at AIIMS Bhopal is a significant step towards inclusive and comprehensive healthcare. It is a model that integrates medical science with social sensitivity. Many new patients are regularly visiting the clinic, and the high treatment satisfaction is reflected in the 95% follow-up rate.”