Chidambaram launches health insurance scheme for transgenders

Chennai, July 28 (UNI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today launched a health insurance scheme for transgenders and marginalised women here to facilitate their access to professional health services.

The insurance cover will be for a year starting from July one 2007 to June 30, 2008, for the benefit of transgenders and marginalised women across the state.

To start with, Tamil Nadu Aids Initative and Vimosewa have tied up with eight hospitals, identified by the community members in Salem district to extend medical facilities under the scheme.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chidambaram said the government would take initatives to make sure that transgenders enjoy all rights.

He urged them to 'emerge' from their low self-esteem and lead a normal life.

''An awareness has to be created among the transgenders about their citizenship, rights to live and their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS''.

Speaking on the occasion, State Secretary for Health and Family Welfare VK Subburaj drew attention to the fact that the state had been able to reduce HIV/AIDS incidence from 1.13 per cent in 2001 to 0.5 per cent in 2006.

''This was largely due to the network of services such as testing centres and ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) centres all over the state'', he said and added that free legal aid services had also been provided to women living with HIV/AIDS to ensure they were not discriminated against.

UNI