India’s first transgender clinic in Hyderabad, which had shut down in January following a USAID funding freeze, reopens underneath a brand new title ‘Sabrang’ in Hyderabad.
| Photograph Credit score: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Months after India’s first transgender-led health clinic — Mitr Clinic — was shut down following a funding freeze by USAID, the landmark facility has made a comeback with a brand new title and renewed monetary backing.
Now reopened as Sabrang Clinic, the community-run healthcare centre resumed providers in Might 2025 with assist from the Tata Trusts, mission lead Subash Ghosh mentioned. “As soon as the USAID situation occurred in January, we needed to shut down operations. However we reached out to a number of philanthropic organisations and people. And, now, Tata Trusts is supporting us,” Dr. Ghosh informed The Hindu in an unique dialog.
Launched in 2021 in Hyderabad’s Narayanguda, Mitr Clinic broke new floor not solely as a devoted healthcare facility for transgender folks, but in addition as the primary in India to be solely staffed and managed by members of the trans group. “From docs to clinic managers, everyone seems to be from the group. Over 3,000 sufferers have been served for the reason that clinic began,” Dr. Ghosh mentioned.
A lifeline after USAID
The shutdown in January 2025 left many transgender folks and members of LGBTQIA+ group with out entry to trusted, stigma-free healthcare. Throughout the interim, the clinic group continued offering on-line consultations and medication supply assist till new funding could possibly be secured.
That lifeline arrived in April, when the Tata Trusts dedicated to supporting the clinic for 3 years. “We bought the affirmation in April, and operations resumed from Might. They’ve dedicated ₹1,500 per particular person per yr,” mentioned Dr. Ghosh. Below the sooner USAID programme, funding stood at ₹1,900 per particular person per yr.
Whereas the Tata Trusts now totally fund the clinic’s core scientific group, senior workers positions are collectively supported by Tata and YRG Care, an NGO that was additionally related to Mitr Clinic. “We needed to section out some roles on account of monetary constraints, however we’re actively reaching out to different donors to assist us scale up once more,” he added.
A government-inspired mannequin took form earlier than closure
Whereas Mitr Clinic was nonetheless operational, the Telangana authorities launched its personal trans-inclusive health facilities in all the 33 districts, the Maitri Clinic, drawing on learnings from the Mitr mannequin. “We have been already working carefully with the Social Welfare division and the Well being division. They took our method ahead,” mentioned Dr. Ghosh. Although Maitri started a number of months earlier than Mitr Clinic’s shutdown, each clinics coexisted briefly, every serving as a vital lifeline for the transgender and different members of LGBTQIA+ group.
Though the Sabrang group thought of State assist, they selected to independently restart operations to keep away from additional delays. “Our clinic had greater than only a bodily house. We had on-line assist techniques, robust group outreach, and a belief community constructed over years. It was vital to get that again rapidly,” he mentioned.
Why ‘Sabrang’?
The title Sabrang, which means ‘all colors’, alerts a extra expansive imaginative and prescient for inclusive healthcare. “Earlier, we centered solely on transgender communities. However now we recognise that others, particularly folks from completely different marginalised teams, together with queer and gender-diverse people face comparable limitations to healthcare,” mentioned Dr. Ghosh.
As India’s first transgender-led clinic returns in a renewed type, its dedication stays unchanged: healthcare that’s dignified, accessible, and community-driven. “We’ve come again stronger, extra inclusive, and extra decided. It’s nonetheless an area created by the group, solely now, we’re reaching extra individuals who want it,” Dr. Ghosh mentioned.
Revealed – July 03, 2025 04:13 pm IST
