India’s first transgender clinics recently ceased operations due to a suspension of funding from USAID following directives from President Trump. This discontinuation affects nearly 5,000 people and has prompted significant criticism over the allocation of foreign aid. Despite some services being preserved under a waiver, the funding freeze poses serious challenges for the clinics and their clients.

Last month, India’s first three clinics dedicated to the transgender community ceased operations following a work suspension ordered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This unexpected halt has disrupted essential services for nearly 5,000 individuals, as reported by Reuters, citing two reliable sources.

The suspension was initiated by a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump in January, which involved a 90-day review period for all foreign aid expenditure to ensure alignment with his “America First” policy. Critics, including Trump himself, have expressed concern over USAID’s funding of projects they believe are unrelated to American interests.

The main impact of the funding freeze has fallen on three Mitr (friend) Clinics, primarily led by transgender doctors, counselors, and support staff, which collectively serve up to 5,000 clients. The two sources providing insights for this report requested anonymity due to the sensitivity surrounding the matter.

Prominent figures, including Elon Musk and Republican Senator John Kennedy, have voiced their opposition to the funding for transgender initiatives. Musk remarked on social media that American tax dollars should not be utilized in this manner, responding to reports on the closure of the Hyderabad clinic, which launched in 2021.

The clinics in Kalyan and Pune also provided vital services, including hormone therapy guidance, mental health counseling, treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, legal assistance, and general medical care. Each clinic required an annual budget of approximately Rs 30 lakh ($34,338) and employed about eight practitioners.

Despite the suspension, clinic organizers have received a waiver from USAID to maintain specific life-saving services, such as administering antiretroviral medication to HIV-infected individuals, as highlighted by one source.

A significant proportion of the clinic clientele, estimated at 10%, is living with HIV. One source, a physician, expressed pride in their accomplishments at the Mitr Clinics, stating, “We did some really good work at Mitr Clinics.”

The closure of India’s first transgender clinics highlights the profound impact of U.S. foreign aid policies on vulnerable communities. With nearly 5,000 individuals affected, service disruption underscores the vital role these clinics played in providing essential healthcare and legal aid. As efforts to secure alternative funding continue, life-saving treatments for HIV patients may be sustained through a USAID waiver, but the loss of comprehensive services remains a pressing concern.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com

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