“Inclusive healthcare requires empathy, knowledge, and dedicated training to ensure dignity for all individuals,” stated Dr. Venkatesan Chakrapani, Chairperson of the Centre for Sexuality & Health Research and Policy, Chennai, during the inauguration of the National-level Multidisciplinary Training of Trainers (TOT) on Transgender Care.
This two-days Collaborative Initiative by SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM College of Nursing, Division of Medical Research, and Central University of Tamilnadu aims to equip healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and awareness needed to provide respectful, gender affirmative competent care to transgender people and gender affirmation diverse individuals in clinical and academic settings. The programme is sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).
Dr. Helen Shaji J.C, Dean of SRM College of Nursing, welcomed the delegates and underlined the broader goal of the training: “This was not just about training. It was about shaping systems that support and serve every individual with dignity.”
Presiding over the event, Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar, Pro Vice Chancellor (In-Charge), Dean, SRM MCH & RC, highlighted the importance of inter-disciplinary collaboration in health profession education, stating, “This initiative represents an academic commitment to social responsibility. We are laying the foundation for meaningful change.”
The comprehensive TOT programme included sessions on gender diversity, hormone therapy, gender-affirmation surgeries, legal aspects, hospital policies to create inclusive health care, and mental health, fostering academic discussion, clinical learning, and institutional planning.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Lt Col A. Ravi Kumar, Advisor, SRM MCH & RC, who noted, “This training bridged the gap between science, service, and policy. It aimed to influence clinical decisions and institutional practices.”
The event featured expert sessions on understanding gender and sexual minorities, hormone replacement therapy, surgical care for transgender clients (both transmasculine and transfeminine), the role of mental health professionals, reproductive options for the LGBTIQ+ community, inclusive practices in hospitals and educational institutions, and insights from past and current transgender research. Discussions also highlighted identity, culture, and nursing practices tailored to the needs of transgender individuals, aiming to foster respectful, gender-affirming care across clinical and academic settings.
On the second day of the Training of Trainers (TOT) program, to be held on June 18th, prominent transgender resource persons will contribute significantly to the sessions. Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor at the Department of Community Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi; Ms. Rakshika Raj, Trans Rights Activist and Public Relations Officer at a private hospital, recognized as India’s first transgender nurse; and Dr. K. Sheethal, Healthcare Executive at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, SBV, will bring valuable perspectives through their lived experiences and professional expertise, enriching the dialogue on inclusive healthcare.
The program aimed to equip healthcare professionals and educators with the knowledge and skills needed to provide respectful and gender affirming care. A panel discussion highlighted the real-world challenges faced by transgender individuals and emphasised the need for compassionate, comprehensive support systems.
The inaugural session concluded with participants gaining valuable knowledge and insights to better support and care for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.