1st government-run department for gender disorders starts work at PGI

CHANDIGARH: The nation’s first government-run facility for children with disorders of sex development (DSD) — a rare condition in which reproductive organs and genitals don’t develop as expected — has been started at PGI, Chandigarh.
As per official estimates, every year around 200 children visit the institution from various states across the country. Prior to this facility, these children had no option but to run from one department to another to seek advice.
“The idea of starting a multidisciplinary DSD clinic came from my endocrinology fellowship stint in the UK.A team of about six to seven specialists will discuss different aspects related to genetic and hormonal issues, surgical correction, and psychological support during the visit of a child diagnosed with DSD,” said Dr Devi Dayal, who heads the endocrinology and diabetes services in the department of pediatrics.
“Due to unavailability of specialists under one roof, it generally takes around six months in our country to chalk out plans for individuals with such disorders. We hope that with a more comprehensive approach, we will be able to provide meaningful lives to these children,” he added.
Dayal said that the facility was first-of-its-kind in a public-sector hospital. Presently, the multidisciplinary team at the PGI comprises a pediatric endocrinologist, pediatric surgeon, geneticist, and a psychologist. It is envisaged that this team will be joined by a urologist, a gynecologist, a pediatric psychiatry specialist and an endocrinologist as well.
“Due to society many parents hand these children to eunuch community. Thus, many spend their lives living as the third gender. Although, the situation is not as grim as it used to be two decades ago. A lot of these cases can be hormonally treated,” said Dr Dayal.
He added that elements of treatment include diagnosis and counselling, hormonal treatments, gender assignment, psychological support, decisions about genital surgery and transition to adulthood care.