India’s first transgender clinic in Hyderabad, which had shut down in January following a USAID funding freeze, reopens beneath 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 companies in Might 2025 with help from the Tata Trusts, challenge lead Subash Ghosh stated. “As soon as the USAID subject 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 advised 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 individuals, but additionally as the primary in India to be completely 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 because the clinic began,” Dr. Ghosh stated.
A lifeline after USAID
The shutdown in January 2025 left many transgender individuals and members of LGBTQIA+ group with out entry to trusted, stigma-free healthcare. Through the interim, the clinic workforce continued offering on-line consultations and medication supply help till new funding may very well be secured.
That lifeline arrived in April, when the Tata Trusts dedicated to supporting the clinic for 3 years. “We obtained the affirmation in April, and operations resumed from Might. They’ve dedicated ₹1,500 per individual per 12 months,” stated Dr. Ghosh. Underneath the sooner USAID programme, funding stood at ₹1,900 per individual per 12 months.
Whereas the Tata Trusts now totally fund the clinic’s core medical workforce, senior workers positions are collectively supported by Tata and YRG Care, an NGO that was additionally related to Mitr Clinic. “We needed to part 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 had been already working carefully with the Social Welfare division and the Well being division. They took our strategy ahead,” stated Dr. Ghosh. Although Maitri started a number of months earlier than Mitr Clinic’s shutdown, each clinics coexisted briefly, every serving as a important lifeline for the transgender and different members of LGBTQIA+ group.
Though the Sabrang workforce thought-about State help, 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 help techniques, sturdy group outreach, and a belief community constructed over years. It was vital to get that again shortly,” he stated.
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 individuals from completely different marginalised teams, together with queer and gender-diverse people face comparable obstacles to healthcare,” stated 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 now have 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 stated.
Printed – July 03, 2025 04:13 pm IST