Osmania General Hospital launches dedicated gender-affirming surgery service for transgender community

Osmania General Hospital (OGH) in Hyderabad has established a dedicated gender-affirming surgery service within the government healthcare sector in Telangana, marking a significant step towards improving access to specialised medical care for transgender persons.

The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at OGH has introduced the service through a multidisciplinary team of specialists from plastic surgery, anaesthesiology, endocrinology, urology, gynaecology and psychiatry, along with nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. Doctors confirmed that the initiative has been developed over the past eight months.

Procedures performed

The team has successfully performed several procedures for transgender individuals, including frontal bossing reduction, autologous fat grafting for breast augmentation, breast augmentation using implants, penile inversion vaginoplasty and bilateral nipple-areola complex-sparing mastectomy.

Breast implants have also been facilitated through letters of credit under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), making these procedures more financially accessible for patients who might otherwise struggle to afford them in the private sector.

Multidisciplinary care model

The service follows a multidisciplinary approach, with emphasis on patient evaluation, individualised surgical planning, perioperative care and post-operative follow-up. This comprehensive model ensures that patients receive holistic care addressing both surgical and psychological needs.

Dr P. Lakshmi, Professor and Head of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at OGH, stated that the hospital has also received support from the Queer Badhu Parents Association. The association’s president, Mukunda Mala, helped facilitate the renovation of a three-bed ward specifically for transgender patients recovering from surgery.

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Plans for expansion

The hospital plans to expand the range of gender-affirming procedures offered and further strengthen the multidisciplinary programme. This initiative is expected to help more transgender people access specialised surgical care through the government healthcare system while promoting inclusive, dignified and comprehensive healthcare.

Why this matters for Hyderabad

For transgender residents of Hyderabad and across Telangana, accessing gender-affirming surgery has historically meant navigating expensive private healthcare options or travelling to other states. The establishment of this service at a major government hospital like Osmania General Hospital removes significant financial and logistical barriers.

The involvement of the CMRF demonstrates state-level support for making these procedures accessible to those who cannot afford them independently. Additionally, the collaboration with community organisations like the Queer Badhu Parents Association ensures that the service is designed with input from those it aims to serve.

The dedicated ward for transgender patients recovering from surgery is a practical measure that addresses the need for safe and respectful post-operative care environments.

What remains to be seen

While the initial procedures have been completed successfully, the long-term impact will depend on sustained funding, continued training of medical staff and ongoing community engagement. The hospital has not yet specified which additional procedures are planned for expansion or provided a timeline for scaling up services.

Patients interested in accessing these services should contact the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Osmania General Hospital for detailed information about eligibility, required documentation and the referral process.

Source: The Hindu – Hyderabad – https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/hyderabads-osmania-general-hospital-strengthens-gender-affirming-surgical-care-for-transgender-people/article71622590.ece