Free Hepatitis Vaccine for Transgender People

Thozhi, a Tamil Nadu-based social organization, has joined hands with a hospital to provide free hepatitis vaccine for the transgender community.

Hepatitis B is a life-threatening liver ailment caused by the Hepatitis B virus, which can turn chronic.

The drive, which is aimed at providing vaccination to 1,000 transgender people, commenced on May 1 and will continue till May 5.

‘The NGO, 'Thozhi', in a statement said it has been working among the transgender community for several years and is now associating with the SIMS Hospital for providing Hepatitis B vaccine to the community in order to prevent their contracting the Hepatitis B disease that can turn fatal in many cases.’

The statement also said that chronic Hepatitis B leads to liver failure, cancer in the liver, and liver cirrhosis that can last a lifetime.

The SIMS hospital authorities told IANS that they are planning to conduct awareness campaigns about Hepatitis B, especially among the school and college students.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

While speaking to IANS, Dr. Raju Sivaswamy of SIMS Hospital said, "We are planning to conduct a Hepatitis B awareness campaign among students from schools and colleges."

He added that Hepatitis B can turn into a chronic illness and once contracted will create major problems including liver cirrhosis that can leave a lasting scar on the liver.

While speaking to IANS, Kalki Subramaniam, a transgender and also an artist and public speaker said, "This is a novel initiative by 'Thozhi' for the marginalized transgender community. I wholeheartedly appreciate the initiative of the SIMS hospital management along with 'Thozhi' for the noble endeavour."

Source: IANS