Hospital unveils special ward for transgender people in Pakistan
Minister says treatment will be free of cost, relatives of transgender people to benefit
Islamabad: Authorities in Pakistan have opened a special ward for transgender people at the prominent Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the federal capital.
Federal Minister for Health Amir Mehmood Kayani and Federal Minister for Human Rights (HR) Dr Shireen Mazari jointly inaugurated the facility here on Friday fulfilling the promise Mazari made last month on her social media account.
After unveiling the separate ward, the two ministers toured the ward and examined facilities to be provided to transgender patients. They also spoke to some transgender people who had come for treatment at the hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mazari said ensuring human rights of the people of Pakistan was her ministry’s top priority.
She said the government was taking measures to ensure citizens can exercise their human rights.
The health minister said the transgender community would be treated for free at the new ward. He said there would be a separate doctor round-the-clock for the transgender patients.
Not only the transgenders, but also their families will benefit through the health card issued by the government, Kayani added.
The step is seen as part of the efforts by the government to bring meaningful change in the lives of transgender communities.
Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad Traffic Police had also issued a driving licence to a transgender person, Laila Ali, leader of the transgender community.
Laila is the president of the Awaz Shemale foundation in Rawalpindi.
Laila Ali’s father had taught her to drive in 2000 and she has been regularly driving in the twin cities without a licence for fifteen years now.
She was awarded the licence on the personal intervention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) whom she approached and told ITP was not issuing her licence despite the fact she had been driving for years.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court in 2008 had directed the National Database And Registration Authority (NADRA) to issue them Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) so that they might exercise their right to vote.
The apex court also directed the government for fixing some job quota for them, however despite all these steps no meaningful, positive change has taken place in their lives and they continue to live neglected, oppressed lives.