When gender is not a problem to treat patients

Chennai: Their dreams of getting a job and recognition became a reality for two transgenders, Ms Neaya Joseph and Ms Selvi Santhosam, when they were employed at the Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital.Ms Neaya, a microbiologist,  and Ms Selvi, a physiotherapist, are the first transgenders to be employed in the hospital through the employment exchange on a temporary basis.

Ms Neaya said, “My mother and father passed away when I was just 14 years. My struggle started there, but I was stubborn enough to complete my schooling.”Though she was a woman trapped in a man’s body, Ms Neaya did not reveal herself till she graduated from a college in Salem. And Ms Selvi too did the same. “Only during my post graduation, I got enough courage to wear a woman’s attire and step out of my sister’s place. I completed M.Sc in microbiology with my parents’ pension and after that I struggled for one square meal a day,” said the 28-year-old transgender, who thanked health minister Dr C. Vijaya Baskar for appointing them in the hospital.

While Ms Selvi joined on November 12, Ms Neaya joined 10 days later. Earning Rs 7,500 a month and working in a general hospital that sees at least 12,000 outpatients a day keeps them occupied.“I work in the blood bank and Selvi in the ICU ward for VIP patients,” said the microbiologist. “Now my transgender community knows that they too can be employed and lead a dignified life without begging or turning to prostitution because jobs are hard to find. My patients are happy with my work.

“Earlier I used to tell everyone that I was a transgender, but now I tell only selected patients and they are happy that I am in a good position. Patients ask me why I call myself a transgender and that I should be proud to say ‘I’m a woman’,” said Ms Selvi. “Nearly 15 transgenders have registered with the employment exchange and we hope everybody gets jobs in their respective fields, they added.