Hijra communities in Bangladesh often face discrimination at government hospitals due to issues such as the absence of separate queues, lack of time to discuss their medical concerns, and being treated as untouchables, according to recent allegations.As a result, this group struggles to access proper healthcare services.
Financial constraints prevent them from seeking care at private clinics or chambers, leaving many to suffer from illnesses without adequate treatment.
Reports indicate severe bias against Hijra individuals in hospitals. However, they face further challenges in consultation rooms, where doctors view them differently.
Hospital wards also lack separate beds for Hijras, and even when beds are provided out of sympathy, other patients often treat them poorly. This forces many to seek care at private clinics, where costs are too much.
A watchdog member of Bandhu Social Welfare Society highlighted the additional challenges Hijras face, saying: “Due to gender diversity, Hijras often cannot live with their families. They face financial hardship, disrespect, neglect, and lack of marital opportunities, which contribute to mental health issues and various diseases. Many require medical counseling, but such services are unavailable in Khulna. This has even led to suicides in some cases.”
In September, Chandana Mondal, a 20-year-old Hijra from Paikgasa, Khulna, tragically passed away following an unsuccessful suicide attempt months earlier. Although initial treatment helped them recover, a lack of proper follow-up care eventually led to their death.
Their mentor, Guru Ma Jui, explained that Chandana had been under significant mental stress, which drove them to attempt suicide. While efforts were made to encourage them to seek treatment, their condition worsened two and a half months after ingesting Harpic, leading to their untimely demise.
Abul Hossain, executive director of Chinnamul Manab Kalyan Sangstha, said that doctors often hesitate to treat Hijra patients, quickly prescribing medication without listening to their symptoms. While they receive better care for sexually transmitted diseases, treatment for other illnesses is inadequate.
Dr Suhas Ranjan Halder, residential medical officer at Khulna Medical College Hospital, said: “No patient is treated differently here. All are provided with necessary care based on availability. If specific complaints of bias against Hijra individuals arise, we can address them through motivation programs.”
Hijras living in Khulna, such as Moushumi, Lolita, and Rani (pseudonyms), shared their struggles, stating that seeking treatment at government or private hospitals is often humiliating. They face offensive remarks and inappropriate questions, discouraging them from accessing healthcare services.
Another Bandhu Social Welfare Society watchdog member emphasized the need for advocacy meetings in hospitals to address this issue, saying: “Hijras are human too, but they face discrimination in accessing basic human rights like healthcare, which is unacceptable. Bandhu is working on advocacy programs in various hospitals to address these challenges.”
The government recognized Hijras as a third gender in 2013. According to data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the number of hijras is 12,639, while unofficial sources estimate it to be close to 50,000.