Data revealed rise on sex change surgeries in Kerala
More sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) in the state are performed for male-to-female transition than for female-to-male transition, according to data from the social justice department on the number of transgender people who received financial assistance after the surgeries. The data also
More sex reassignment surgeries (SRS) in the state are performed for male-to-female transition than for female-to-male transition, according to data from the social justice department on the number of transgender people who received financial assistance after the surgeries. The data also show that the number of such surgeries has been rising over the years.
While only 19 transgender people, including 11 trans women, received the assistance in 2018-19, the number of beneficiaries rose to 83, including 41 trans women, in 2021-22 so far. Of the total of 191 transgender people who received the assistance from 2018, 127 are trans women and 64, trans men.
The department gives a reimbursement of Rs 2.5 lakh for trans women and Rs 5 lakh for trans men after the surgery. Those in the transgender community said the number of people going for female-to-male transition is fewer due to the surgical complexities involved and fear of rejection from family and abuse on the streets.
“The surgery to transition to male from female is expensive as well as more complex, which includes phalloplasty where a penis is constructed. In fact, there are hundreds who want a transition from female to male but they are scared of abuse from the society and worry about their future,” said Hrithik M, a trans man.
Authorities said though society’s approach towards transgender people has been changing no studies have been done to find out why the number of trans women has been higher than trans men.
Besides proposing to ensure the mental and physical fitness of those undergoing sex-change surgeries, the department also advises counseling sessions for six months before and after the surgery.
Shyama S Prabha, project coordinator of transgender cell said that the absence of expert doctors and protocols poses a serious hurdle in gender reassignment surgeries.
“The state has initiated procedures to formulate protocols for conducting such surgeries in hospitals in the future. Other than collecting a consent letter from the patient and a fitness certificate from a psychiatrist, no other protocols are followed in the hospitals in Kerala. Many develop post-surgical complications,” she said, adding that the government is planning to conduct a study into complications that arise after such surgeries.
