Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to sign MoU with National Health Authority for providing medical packages to Transgenders.

August 25, 2022

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Health Authority for providing comprehensive medical package to transgender people.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar and Health Minister Manshukh Mandaviya were present during the MoU signing which was held in Delhi.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said all health benefits which include general health provisions as well as gender re-affirmation surgery shall be available for transgender persons in the health benefits package under Ayushman Bharat Yojana.
Under this initiative, each transgender person shall receive a medical cover of 5 lakh rupees per year.
The Comprehensive package would cover all aspects of transition-related healthcare for Transgender persons.
It shall also provide coverage of hormone therapy, and gender reaffirmation surgery.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019

The Bill defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. It includes transmen and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra.
A transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of identity, indicating the gender as ‘transgender’.
It calls for establishing a National Council for Transgender persons (NCT).
The Bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment in relation to Education, Employment, Healthcare, Movement, Reside, Rent, public or private office, and access a Govt or private establishment.
The Act has a provision that provides transgender with the right of residence with parents and immediate family members.
It states the offences against Transgender persons will attract jail of 6 months to 2 years and
Bill also seeks to provide rights of health facilities to transgender persons including separate HIV surveillance centres, and sex reassignment surgeries. Govt shall review the medical curriculum and provide medical insurance.