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PESHAWAR, Oct 22 (APP):In a significant step towards inclusive healthcare, the Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally launched the Protection and Welfare Policy on Transgender and Intersex Persons 2025, mandating structural and behavioral reforms across public health facilities.
According to an official circular issued by the Health Sector Reform Unit (HSRU) here Wednesday, the policy has been approved and circulated to all relevant stakeholders for immediate implementation.
The directive emphasizes the policy’s role in safeguarding the rights and dignity of transgender and intersex individuals within the provincial health system.
In a follow-up notification, the Directorate General Health Services instructed all District Health Officers, Regional Directors, and Medical Superintendents of DHQ Hospitals to ensure compliance with the policy.
The Key measures of the policy includes establishment of separate registration counters, wards, and washrooms for transgender and intersex patients.
It also direct the assurance of non-discriminatory service charges and respectful treatment and submission of compliance reports to monitor implementation progress.
Provincial Secretary Health, Shahidullah Khan termed the initiative as a progressive shift in KP’s health governance, aligning with broader human rights commitments and aiming to eliminate systemic discrimination in public service delivery.
Meanwhile, Qamar Naseem, Program Manager of Blue Veins, who drafted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Protection and Welfare Policy for Transgender and Intersex Persons 2025 and has been providing technical support to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, appreciated the Health Department’s recent directive to implement inclusive healthcare measures.
He said that the step demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring dignity, equality, and respect for transgender and intersex citizens in public health facilities.
Qamar added that such measures represent a significant milestone toward inclusive governance and expressed hope that the policy will soon be finalized and presented before the provincial cabinet for approval, enabling other government departments to take similar and affirmative actions.