Guwahati: Dispur asked to inform HC on SOP for transgenders’ medical facilities

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court recently directed the Assam government to provide information on whether the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare regarding the provision of treatment and other medical facilities to the transgender community has been implemented in the state.

The division bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kaushik Goswami was hearing a public interest litigation petition (PIL/74/2018) filed by Advocate Swati Bidhan Baruah, which raised the issue of alleged apathy on the part of the authorities concerned to address the medical needs of the members of the transgender community living in Assam, in particular, extending the facility of reconstructive surgery to them.

The petitioner submitted an additional affidavit stating that the Union Health Ministry had issued an SOP on September 3, 2024, in relation to the medical treatment and other medical facilities, etc., to be provided to the transgender community, and that the state government is required to implement the said SOP.

The bench observed, “Learned counsel appearing for the respondent government department is directed to file a response to the above-referred additional affidavit dated January 6, 2025, clarifying whether the SOP dated September 3, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has been implemented in the state of Assam or not.”

The bench further directed the counsel representing the respondent state government to provide details regarding the measures taken by the Assam government in terms of the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

The HC order further stated, “In the meantime, the petitioner, if so desires, may file an additional affidavit regarding further steps required to be taken by the state or the central government on the issue involved in this PIL petition.” The matter is listed for further hearing on March 3, 2025.

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