KP Lacks Health Care Facilities For Transgender Community: Research

The findings of a recently conducted research by Blue-Veins about health care facilities for transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province pointed out that the exiting health care facilities in KP do not cater the health care needs of the community.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Oct, 2018 ) :The findings of a recently conducted research by Blue-Veins about health care facilities for transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province pointed out that the exiting health care facilities in KP do not cater the health care needs of the community.

"The interaction with transgender persons and health care providers reflects that there is widespread ignorance, insensitivity and discrimination in relation to health care needs of the transgender and inter-sex community," Programme Coordinator Blue-Veins Qamar Naseem told a seminar in Islamabad on Thursday, according to a press release.

The seminar was organized by Blue Veins and FDI Under a project supported by Right Here Right Now to share the findings of the research focusing on identification of gaps and challenges in access to quality healthcare services faced by transgender community. It was well attended by large number of audiences including policy makers, legislators, political parties, CSOs, SGM organizations, representatives of health departments, Population Welfare, social welfare, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, youth advocates, SGM right activists, and media representatives.

Qamar Naseem said the transgender persons in Pakistan faced a common set of challenges within the health care system, ranging from access to health care coverage and culturally competent care to and absence of polices and medical curriculum that reinforces social stigma, marginalization and discrimination.

He shared with the participants the objectives of the research. "Purpose behind conducting a research was to identify barriers in obtaining medical care services, support and/or resources and to assess the extent to which health care providers and systems are able to offer sensitive, high quality services that meet transgender persons' health needs.

" Uzma Yaqoob, Executive Director FDI and a transgender rights activist, stated the research had highlighted a need to develop and adopt informed advocacy strategy for state and non-state actors, working for the welfare of vulnerable communities, to improve the laws and systems protecting the transgender community and for increased and better access to health care resources and requirement.

Farzana Riaz, President TransAction alliance, said transgender persons encountered extreme level of discriminations and challenges while seeking healthcare facilities either at private or public healthcare centers. The research had truly reflected the gaps and deficiencies of the healthcare system, she added.

Nayyab Ali, Focal Person All Pakistan Transgender Election Network APTEN, while speaking about the healthcare issues of the transgender community mentioned that discrimination and deficits of healthcare facilities puts transgender people at heightened risk for a range of health issues, from depression and addiction to other chronic conditions.

Dr. Bashir Hussain Shah, Director at Institute of Psychology, Islamabad stated that the findings of this research can be of great significance to policy makers and legislators in shaping the characteristics of socially and medically competent and sensitive healthcare provision which is inclusive, nondiscriminatory and meet the need of sexual and gender minorities.