Maharashtra's first ward for transgenders started at the Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) Hospital in Mumbai on Friday. The government-run hospital has 30 beds to provide health facilities to transgenders. As per hospital officials, whenever a transgender patient comes for treatment they want to get admitted and treated in the women’s ward, but female patients hesitate. In the male ward, transgenders are uncomfortable. 

The heads of units and consultants have formulated the SOPs to run the ward. The ward is no 13 with a capacity of 30 beds, gender-neutral toilets, an examination room, and a dressing room for the patients. More than 150 staff have been trained to ensure that transgenders do not face discrimination. If patients do not have an identity card, they can submit a written self-declaration form at the hospital. The unique feature in this form is a mention of what the patient wants to be addressed as — which gender, or name.