DCW notice to RML Hospital, state and central govts over ‘non-availability of free sex-reassignment surgery’

“She has stated that even though free SRS has started in government hospitals, she was not able to get her surgery conducted at the hospital,” said the commission.

When contacted, RML Medical Superintendent Dr Ajay Shukla said he was not aware of the matter, adding he had not received the notice from the commission so far. “I am not sure if we are conducting sex-reassignment surgeries. I will investigate the matter,” said Dr Shukla.

When contacted for comment, the PRO for the state government did not respond.

According to the commission, in November 2022, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Delhi, had issued a circular directing all government hospitals having a ‘Burn and Plastic Ward’ along with facilities for plastic surgeons to provide free sex-reassignment surgeries after the DCW raised the issue with the department.

The commission, in its notice, has asked the hospital for reasons for not performing the SRS on the complainant. It also asked the state and Union governments regarding the number of SRS performed by government hospitals in Delhi since 2022. The commission has also asked them to provide details of steps taken to ensure free sex-reassignment surgeries in government hospitals in Delhi.

DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal stated, “We have received a complaint regarding the non-availability of sex-reassignment surgery in a prominent hospital. The facility of free sex-reassignment surgery should be available at all government hospitals. After the efforts of DCW, Delhi government had instructed all Delhi government hospitals to provide free SRS. I have issued notice to the hospital and the health departments. We will make sure transgender persons will be able to get the benefit of free SRS in all government hospitals.”