Question NW1694 to the Minister of Health
18 December 2019 - NW1694
Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With reference to access to health care by the transgender community, what is the (a) current process for and (b) budget allocated to hormone replacement and gender re-assignment surgery in Government hospitals; (2) whether there is a backlog in respect of hormone replacement and gender re-assignment surgery in Government hospitals; if so, what number of persons are affected by the backlog?
Reply:
1. (a) The patient comes for assessment in the Endocrine Clinic by a muti-disciplinary team inclusive of Physicians and Psychologists. The patient is placed on hormonal treatment and when ready, then referred for transgender surgery.
(b) There is no dedicated budget allocated for the treatment of Transgender patients. The budget comes from voted funds under the Clinical and Surgery business unit and Pharmacy budget.
(2) No, there is no backlog. At present there are only 3 patients that are waiting for surgery.
END.