DNA: Mumbai: Thursday, May 24, 2018.
As many as 28
sex change surgeries have been carried out at in the past five years at
Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, also known as Sion Hospital,
according to a Right To Information (RTI) reply.
Out of the 28
sex change surgeries, 21 were from male to female, while seven were from female
to male.
The RTI was
filed by activist Chetan Kothari, asking for the total number of surgeries
being performed for sex change in civic-run hospitals. The RTI was forwarded to
four civic-run hospitals in the city KEM Hospital, Sion Hospital, Nair Hospital
and Cooper Hospital, but so far the activist has received a reply only from
Sion Hospital. The RTI was filed on April 20.
While
answering the RTI, Dr Rakesh Verma, assistant dean of the hospital and Public
Information Officer, stated, "Almost all surgeries have been successful,
depending on the procedures. There was a major complication in two cases, but
both were successfully treated."
It further
stated: "The contraindication for such surgeries include psychosis and
unrealistic expectations."
Jayshree
Mondhkar, Dean of Sion Hospital, was not available to comment.
Kothari said:
"People should know that such surgeries are conducted in public hospitals
as well, which can cost them much lesser than private hospitals. Also,
evaluation of certain factors is important for this operation. There can be a
major or minor complication during the operation, which people should be aware
of before undergoing the sex change operation."
The RTI also
highlights that the cases mainly involve gender identity dysphoria above the
age of 18 years. The departments involved in such surgery include psychiatry,
general surgery and urology.
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