Tocantins public defender wants to guarantee trans rights in health

A right guaranteed since 2008 by the Unified Health System (SUS) to transvestites and transsexuals is being neglected in Tocantins. The health demands of this population have been ignored by public managers in both the state and the capital, Palmas. To guarantee this service, the State Public Defender’s Office filed a public civil action, demanding that the state government and the city of Palmas comply with the determination that guarantees the specialized transsexualization process service.

Instituted by the SUS, this process ensures comprehensive care for trans people, including reception, use of social name, hormone therapy, surgery to adapt the biological body to gender identity and psychological support at all stages. However, none of the public health networks — state or municipal — has the necessary structure to offer this specialized service.

According to public defender Freddy Alejandro, there is no public health protocol in Tocantins to even refer trans men and women to treatment outside the state. Alejandro, who coordinates the Specialized Center for Health Defense at the Ombudsman’s Office, assesses that the omission in relation to trans and transvestites ranges from basic care to more specific procedures.

Amid the struggle to guarantee rights, the Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals of Tocantins emerged in 2016, which began working with the judiciary, health defense bodies and public managers to implement the first State Transsexualizing Outpatient Clinic. The implementation actions, which remain on paper to this day, are coordinated by the state through the Superintendency of Health Care Policies.

The president of the Association, Byanca Marchiori, estimates that, in the capital alone, more than 200 people are waiting for some type of specific health service linked to transsexualization. The Health Department believes there are around 400 throughout Tocantins. However, to date, anyone who has needed to undergo some type of medium and high complexity surgery linked to the process has had to take legal action to guarantee their rights, as explained by Byanca.

By Ezatamentchy