Chennai: In a landmark move to make healthcare more inclusive, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has directed all doctors, educators and students in the state to undergo sensitisation programmes on transgender health, LGBTQIA+ issues and the rights and dignity of sexual minorities.

The directive follows the release of the State Policy for Transgender Persons by Chief Minister MK Stalin, which sets out to improve the socio-economic conditions of the community over the next five years.

According to a circular issued by TNMC, all Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes in Tamil Nadu must now include mandatory sessions on transgender health and broader LGBTQIA+ concerns.

The registrar said such sensitisation was “imperative” to ensure that medical professionals deliver equitable care while upholding their ethical and legal responsibilities. The sessions will also address the prohibition of coercive practices such as so-called “conversion therapy,” which has been discredited globally.

The circular stated that sensitisation sessions may be conducted as standalone CMEs or integrated into existing academic schedules. Medical colleges and training centres must submit completion reports to the Council within 30 days, while TNMC will monitor compliance by verifying records.

Training modules will highlight best practices in medical education and clinical care for transgender persons, with input from community members sharing lived experiences. Officials said this approach is intended to foster empathy and dismantle stereotypes that have long obstructed access to healthcare.

The broader policy framework, unveiled in July, includes scholarships for transgender and intersex students, appointment of nodal counsellors in colleges, establishment of short-stay homes and the launch of a toll-free helpline.

Together, these initiatives mark Tamil Nadu’s first comprehensive effort to institutionalise support systems for the transgender community. By insisting on mandatory sensitisation within the medical sector, the TNMC has underscored the critical role healthcare professionals play in building inclusive spaces.

For a community long subjected to stigma and systemic discrimination, these steps promise not only recognition but also a safer and more dignified future in Tamil Nadu’s healthcare system.

IANS