Two transgenders get medical appointments

Coming after Prithika Yashini becoming the first transgender to enter the police force last year, Selvi and Neaya have now made history by being the only transgenders to be appointed to government hospitals in the state till now.

While Selvi, a native of Tirunelveli, has been appointed to Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital, Neaya, a native of Salem, has been appointed to the RGGGH in the city. 

In an interaction with DTNext, Dr Neaya said, “It was a struggle for us. I had completed my studies and was unemployed until 2014 when both of us found employment at RGGGH, albeit on contractual basis.” 

Explaining her struggles, Neaya recalled visiting every hospital in search of a job. “I would be turned down with the constant refrain being that there were no vacancies,” she said. Despite the two having met several ministers in the state, their pleas to be made permanent never achieved fruition.  

“We told them that the salary we received was simply not enough and being mere ward supervisors was not what we wanted. Also, only if we get a permanent job will other transgender persons be motivated to apply for jobs and lead a decent life,” she added. 

Expressing her joy at having finally got what she wanted, Dr Selvi said, “I am very happy that my efforts have finally paid off. I am the first trans physiotherapist in the country and I am happy that the state is becoming a role model for the rest of the country in this aspect.” 

Welcoming their appointment, Grace Banu, a transgender activist, said, “They are great role models. However, we would like to have job reservations as it is the only way to help our community to go forward.”