The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a big decision regarding the transgender community. Soon transgenders will be able to undergo free sex reassignment surgery. Currently, this surgery is not free in any hospital in the country.
On Wednesday, the central government has announced to give the benefit of Ayushman Bharat scheme to the people belonging to the transgender community. An MoU was also signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said, Transgender will also get free treatment facility up to five lakhs annually under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Transgender certificate is mandatory for its eligibility, which is issued by the national portal of the government.
In the program organized at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi, Dr. Mandaviya said, Ayushman scheme is for the families but this society is not related to the family. That’s why we have changed the definition of family to provide insurance of five lakhs to the transgender society. 4.80 lakh transgenders are registered in the country.
NHA CEO Dr. R.S. Sharma informed that transgender will get the benefit of more than 1200 packages of Ayushman Bharat. Along with this, they will also be able to change gender. A health package related to this will be announced. Work is going on this.
