Golden Z Club, University of Colombo recently conducted a panel discussion on the topic of “Destigmatising LGBTQIA+ Healthcare” featuring panellists University of Colombo Department of International Relations Senior Lecturer Thiyagaraja Waradas, University of Colombo Clinical Psychologist and Visiting Lecturer Kushlani Munasinghe, National Institute of Mental Health Sri Lanka Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Mahesan Ganesan, and human rights activist and National Transgender Network Sri Lanka Executive Director Bhoomi Harendran.
The panellists shared that in the absence of legislation prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and as is evident in the current healthcare landscape within the island, the level of awareness and prominence given to the healthcare concerns of LGBT people – there is a considerable disparity.
In order to destigmatise, there is a necessity to identify and understand the elements of discrimination experienced by the community, and an incredibly important point was brought forth by Harendran at the discussion where she asked: “Why do we even have to talk about separate communities and their sexual orientation or gender identity with regards to healthcare, because should it not be something that is a fundamental in a healthcare service provider’s basic training?” She stated that it is indeed “sad” to have to ask medical professionals to please treat everyone equally, when it should be a part of their profession’s genetic makeup.
Speaking with Brunch, Harendran further elaborated upon her statements made at the discussion, providing that as a community member and long-time activist she has noticed an encouraging shift forward, however, it is so miniscule and in need of a lot more attention than it is currently getting. She stated that these conversations must continue to happen because the change in attitude that we need in order to make real change happen is yet to develop. She stated that healthcare disparities faced by the LGBT community and the eventual de-stigmatisation must be a collective commitment that sees an ongoing collaboration.
She stated that there is a serious lack of awareness and a lack of updated knowledge amongst certain professionals when it comes to LGBT healthcare concerns, and most important as a medical professional, it should be a cardinal rule that they do not project their personal views or beliefs onto their work. She shared an example where recently she came across such an incident where certified healthcare workers acted in a discriminatory manner against an LGBT individual. “At a well reputed hospital, a trans man who went in to schedule a date for his surgery was subject to verbal abuse by the junior doctors at the clinic. They verbally harassed this person by telling him that he is insulting his school, his culture, etc.” she said, adding that it is abhorrent that these young doctors are saying such ignorant things, bringing their personal beliefs into their work life.
She shared yet another incident. “There was a doctor, who after evaluating a transgender person for years, refused to issue the letter for their gender reassignment surgery simply because the doctor’s daughter expressed her dislike of what he is doing, and that it is something against our culture, and so the doctor refused to issue the letter.”
She said that it is the mandate of a medical professional to provide your services without judgement, and that the sheer lack of specific non-discriminatory policies to establish an effective system, and the lack of compulsory education on the topic of discrimination, are some of the reasons why Sri Lankan healthcare continues to lag behind.
Harendran shared that we certainly have a marvellous healthcare sector, and she very much appreciates it. However, there is this massive gap between what’s available and what is made accessible to those belonging to sexual minorities. “We always have to argue or bargain for our rights, and it has become our job to explain and educate the healthcare sector,” she said, adding that this really cannot continue in this way and questioning that when the science is available and has been for years, why is it not widely taught?
The panellists shared that in the absence of legislation prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and as is evident in the current healthcare landscape within the island, the level of awareness and prominence given to the healthcare concerns of LGBT people – there is a considerable disparity.
In order to destigmatise, there is a necessity to identify and understand the elements of discrimination experienced by the community, and an incredibly important point was brought forth by Harendran at the discussion where she asked: “Why do we even have to talk about separate communities and their sexual orientation or gender identity with regards to healthcare, because should it not be something that is a fundamental in a healthcare service provider’s basic training?” She stated that it is indeed “sad” to have to ask medical professionals to please treat everyone equally, when it should be a part of their profession’s genetic makeup.
Speaking with Brunch, Harendran further elaborated upon her statements made at the discussion, providing that as a community member and long-time activist she has noticed an encouraging shift forward, however, it is so miniscule and in need of a lot more attention than it is currently getting. She stated that these conversations must continue to happen because the change in attitude that we need in order to make real change happen is yet to develop. She stated that healthcare disparities faced by the LGBT community and the eventual de-stigmatisation must be a collective commitment that sees an ongoing collaboration.
She stated that there is a serious lack of awareness and a lack of updated knowledge amongst certain professionals when it comes to LGBT healthcare concerns, and most important as a medical professional, it should be a cardinal rule that they do not project their personal views or beliefs onto their work. She shared an example where recently she came across such an incident where certified healthcare workers acted in a discriminatory manner against an LGBT individual. “At a well reputed hospital, a trans man who went in to schedule a date for his surgery was subject to verbal abuse by the junior doctors at the clinic. They verbally harassed this person by telling him that he is insulting his school, his culture, etc.” she said, adding that it is abhorrent that these young doctors are saying such ignorant things, bringing their personal beliefs into their work life.
She shared yet another incident. “There was a doctor, who after evaluating a transgender person for years, refused to issue the letter for their gender reassignment surgery simply because the doctor’s daughter expressed her dislike of what he is doing, and that it is something against our culture, and so the doctor refused to issue the letter.”
She said that it is the mandate of a medical professional to provide your services without judgement, and that the sheer lack of specific non-discriminatory policies to establish an effective system, and the lack of compulsory education on the topic of discrimination, are some of the reasons why Sri Lankan healthcare continues to lag behind.
Harendran shared that we certainly have a marvellous healthcare sector, and she very much appreciates it. However, there is this massive gap between what’s available and what is made accessible to those belonging to sexual minorities. “We always have to argue or bargain for our rights, and it has become our job to explain and educate the healthcare sector,” she said, adding that this really cannot continue in this way and questioning that when the science is available and has been for years, why is it not widely taught?