India’s First Clinic for Transgender Persons Reopens as Sabrang in Hyderabad

Mitr Clinic, the first ever transgender-led health clinic in India revamped its name as Sabrang Clinic in Hyderabad. This clinic has reopened under the support of Tata Trusts after being forced to close its door in 2024 due to a freeze in funding by USAID. The clinic, which is institutionally named Sabrang meaning all colours, is to make inclusive healthcare services available to the transgender population. It first appeared in 2021 in the Narayanguda area of Hyderabad as the first step in the history of gaining medical care by transgender people. Since the beginning of the clinic, it has attended to the needs of more than 3,000 patients.

Context

• After having to close due to a funding freeze, the Mitr Clinic, which is the country's first transgender led healthcare facility is now reopened under the name Sabrang Clinic with the Philanthropic assistance of Tata Trusts. 

• Inclusion of healthcare to the transgender community is an ongoing mission of the clinic.

Key Details

History of the Clinic

• Pioneer: The Mitr Clinic was the first clinic ever in India to be fully managed and operated by transgender people.

• Place: Hyderabad Narayanguda.

• Established in 2021: Specializing in offering medical services to the needs of the transgender community.

Actions Taken

• USAID Funding Freeze: In early 2024, the clinic was forced to close after funding by the USAID was lost.

• Philanthropic Funding: Philanthropic funds were utilized by the clinic after it shut down and eventually Tata Trusts came forward to fund the clinic.

Renamed Sabrang Clinic

• New Name: The new name of the clinic was opened as Sabrang Clinic, meaning all colours of healthcare.

• Support: Tata Trusts has presently become the clinic main financial sponsor.

Services and Vision

• Inclusive Healthcare: Sabrang Clinic tries to be inclusive, specialized and provide affordable health care to transgender people with their different needs.

• Services Offered: The facilities offer inclusive care, which includes mental and psychological assistance, hormonal therapies, sex changes operations, and other related forms of specialized practices.

Influence and Success

• Patients Served: Since the commencement of the clinic in 2021, it has served more than 3,000 patients.

• Community-Led: Hired and operated by the transgender community providing culturally competent care.

Social Significance

• Healthcare Access Advancement: The fact that Sabrang Clinic was reopened is regarded as a breakthrough in the transgender rights movement and the demand for equal healthcare access in India.

• Role of Philanthropy: The clinic establishes the usefulness of philanthropic institutions such as the Tata Trusts in bridging the shortfall caused by government or external funding agencies.

Conclusion

The re-opening of The Sabrang Clinic is a giant stride towards having inclusive and affordable healthcare to transgenders in India. As long as Tata Trusts remains supportive, the clinic is destined to cater to the health needs of one of the most marginalized groups in the country, establishing a healthy precedent in the country.