India's first transgender clinic in Hyderabad reopened; Tata Trusts revives facility shut after USAID froze funds

The Hindu

a day ago

Months after Hyderabad's Mitr Clinic — India's first transgender-led health clinic — shut down following a funding freeze by USAID, the landmark facility has made a comeback albeit with a new name and renewed financial backing.
Now reopened as Sabrang Clinic, the community-run healthcare centre resumed services in May 2025 with support from the Tata Trusts, confirmed Subash Ghosh, project lead of the initiative. 'Once the USAID issue happened in January, we had to shut down operations. But we reached out to several philanthropic organisations and individuals. And, now, Tata Trusts is supporting us,' Dr. Ghosh told The Hindu in an exclusive conversation.
Launched in 2021 in Hyderabad's Narayanguda, Mitr Clinic broke new ground not only as a dedicated healthcare facility for transgender people, but also as the first in India to be entirely staffed and managed by trans community members . 'From doctors to clinic managers, everyone was from the community. We had seen over 3,000 patients since the clinic started, until we had to shut down,' Dr. Ghosh said.
A lifeline after USAID
The shutdown in January 2025 left many transgender people and other LGBTQIA+ community members without access to trusted, stigma-free healthcare. During the interim, the clinic team continued providing online consultations and medicine delivery support until new funding could be secured.
That lifeline arrived in April, when the Tata Trusts committed to supporting the clinic for three years. 'We got the confirmation in April, and operations resumed from May. They have committed ₹1,500 per person per year,' said Dr. Ghosh. Under the earlier USAID programme, funding stood at ₹1,900 per person per year
While the Tata Trusts now fully fund the clinic's core clinical team, senior staff positions are jointly supported by Tata and YRG Care, an NGO that was also associated with Mitr Clinic. 'We had to phase out some roles due to financial constraints, but we are actively reaching out to other donors to help us scale up again,' he added.
A government-inspired model took shape before closure
While Mitr Clinic was still operational, the Telangana government launched its own trans-inclusive health facilities in all the 33 districts, the Maitri Clinic, drawing on learnings from the Mitr model. 'We were already working closely with the Social Welfare Department and the Health Ministry. They took our approach forward,' said Dr. Ghosh. Though Maitri began a few months before Mitr Clinic's shutdown, both clinics coexisted briefly, each serving as a critical lifeline for the transgender and other members of LGBTQIA+ community.
Although the Sabrang team considered State support, they chose to independently restart operations to avoid further delays. 'Our clinic had more than just a physical space. We had online support systems, strong community outreach, and a trust network built over years. It was important to get that back quickly,' he said.
Why 'Sabrang'?
The name Sabrang, meaning 'all colours', signals a more expansive vision for inclusive healthcare. 'Earlier, we focused solely on transgender communities. But now we recognise that others, especially people from different marginalised groups, including queer and gender-diverse individuals face similar barriers to healthcare,' said Dr. Ghosh.
As India's first transgender-led clinic returns in a renewed form, its commitment remains unchanged: healthcare that is dignified, accessible, and community-driven. 'We have come back stronger, more inclusive, and more determined. It is still a space created by the community, only now, we are reaching more people who need it,' Dr. Ghosh said.