Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Ontario To Expand Medical Referrals For Sex Reassignment Surgery

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Nov, 2015 11:29 AM
    TORONTO — Ontario wants to make it easier for transgender people to get a medical referral for sex reassignment surgery.
     
    Currently, only the Gender Identity Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto can refer a patient for sex reassignment surgery, which is covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.
     
    Health Minister Eric Hoskins is proposing a change that would allow all qualified health-care providers in Ontario to refer transgender patients for the surgery.
     
    Hoskins says every Ontarian has the right to be who they are, and the health-care system should reflect that vision.
     
    He says the new referral process for sex reassignment surgery will still be based on existing criteria and internationally recognized standards of care.
     
    Anna Travers of Rainbow Health in Toronto says one of the most vulnerable times for transgender people is when they are ready for surgery, but face a prolonged wait.
     
    "This change would reduce wait times by allowing many trans clients to get surgical approvals from their own local primary care teams," Travers said in a release.
     
    The government says the number of people in Ontario asking for gender identity services has been on the increase in recent years.
     
    The Ontario legislature unanimously passed legislation in June affirming the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Love Drinking? Raise A Toast To Moderation

    Love Drinking? Raise A Toast To Moderation
    Have you heard of "Holiday Heart Syndrome"? It happens when a non-drinker or a light drinker gives in to the weekend party mood and goes on a drinking spree.

    Love Drinking? Raise A Toast To Moderation

    South Asians In US Reluctant To Report Pain

    South Asians In US Reluctant To Report Pain
    South Asians living in the US are more reluctant than other ethnicities to report pain as well as seek medication to treat the pain they experience near the end of their lives, says a new study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

    South Asians In US Reluctant To Report Pain

    South Asians In US More Prone To Heart Attacks, Diabetes

    South Asians In US More Prone To Heart Attacks, Diabetes
    South Asians in US are more prone to heart attacks and diabetes when compared to other ethnic groups, it was highlighted at a health congress here.

    South Asians In US More Prone To Heart Attacks, Diabetes

    As More Canadians Survive Strokes, More Live With Stroke-induced Disabilities

    As More Canadians Survive Strokes, More Live With Stroke-induced Disabilities
    More people are surviving strokes — a good news story about what can be a devastating and even fatal attack on the brain.

    As More Canadians Survive Strokes, More Live With Stroke-induced Disabilities

    Diversify Your Diet To Stay Healthy

    Diversify Your Diet To Stay Healthy
    A loss of dietary diversity during the past 50 years could be a contributing factor to the rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal problems and other diseases

    Diversify Your Diet To Stay Healthy

    Indian American Team Makes Gene-Editing Tool Simpler

    Indian American Team Makes Gene-Editing Tool Simpler
    A team of Indian American researchers has developed a user-friendly resource to make the powerful gene-editing tool more friendly.

    Indian American Team Makes Gene-Editing Tool Simpler