Health Equity Now: Understanding Trans-Healthcare Disparities in Bangladesh
In 2013, the Bangladeshi government officially recognized the transgender community, known locally as “Hijra,” as the “third gender.” However, the struggle for the basic right to accessible and dignified healthcare continues for gender-diverse individuals. Despite legal recognition, they face significant barriers when seeking medical treatment, with healthcare facilities often being unwelcoming and discriminatory.
While legal strides have been made in acknowledging the transgender community, the implementation of policies aimed at improving their healthcare remains insufficient. The healthcare system, although advancing, lacks inclusivity in the treatment of gender-diverse individuals. “Despite being legally recognized, we still face discrimination at every step in healthcare. We need a system that sees us as equal human beings deserving of the same care as anyone else.” said Ruxy, a trans-person from Bogra.
They are frequently met with unwarranted inquiries upon entering hospitals, a stark contradiction to the fundamental right to the highest standard of healthcare without discrimination based on gender. The struggle amplifies when gender-diverse individuals, particularly Hijras, seek medical attention in government hospitals. From the ticket counter to the admission process, they face structural challenges that stem from societal discrimination.
Government hospitals, despite recognizing the “third gender,” lack designated queues or counters for gender-diverse patients, leaving them in a dilemma at every juncture of the medical service process. Unique biological characteristics often lead to stigmatization and exclusion in shared wards. Emergency situations requiring admission to male or female wards have become problematic, as these wards lack specific accommodations for transgender patients. Another trans person from Chittagong said in frustration: “The structural challenges in government hospitals make it difficult for us to access basic healthcare. We deserve a healthcare system that accommodates our needs without judgment.”
This results in unwelcoming attitudes from other patients, hindering access to adequate care and sometimes leading to premature discharge with minimal treatment. Private hospitals offer a more accommodating environment with individual patient rooms, but the high costs associated with these facilities are prohibitive for the financially disadvantaged transgender community. This economic barrier further widens the healthcare gap, pushing them toward government hospitals where they face systemic challenges.
Despite all the difficulties, trans people are still hopeful that one day they too will be treated like any other citizen of Bangladesh. Shiuli, a trans activist, expressed his feelings by saying, “Affordable and inclusive healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The state needs to ensure that we have access to dignified medical services, just like any other citizen.” The urgent need for societal and institutional changes to ensure equitable healthcare access for all, regardless of gender identity, cannot be overstated.
Families, society, and the state must recognize their responsibility to treat the transgender community with respect and empathy. Integrating gender-diverse individuals into mainstream society and involving them in the nation’s collective progress is essential for their holistic development and the overall progress of the country. In the journey towards equality, addressing the healthcare gap for transgender individuals is a crucial step, ensuring that they receive the care and respect they deserve.
Source: The Business Standard
Source Contributor: Md Arif Hossain, Research and Development Coordinator, BRIHONNOLA
Picture Credit: The Business Standard
