Healthcare challenges and opportunities for the third gender: A review of literature on policies, barriers, and interventions in India

The third gender represents a highly marginalized and vulnerable demographic, highlighting the need for targeted attention to their healthcare requirements. Social stigmatization imposes significant pressure on this community, highlighting the necessity for inclusive and targeted healthcare initiatives. This paper examines the literature regarding healthcare access for the transgender community and the challenges encountered in their daily lives. This study examines the obstacles faced by third-gender individuals within India’s healthcare system, assessing the policies, interventions, and their efficacy. The study also analyses expectations regarding healthcare services and offers insights into perspectives on the current healthcare landscape. A qualitative methodology is utilized, employing a systematic literature review grounded in well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria to collect data. The results demonstrate that third-gender individuals often face stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. This encompasses both unprofessional interactions with healthcare providers and, at times, explicit denial of care. The dissatisfaction with current healthcare services underscores the system’s failure to address the specific needs of this community. The third-gender population faces significant physical and mental distress, exacerbated by societal stigma, resulting in a complex and challenging situation. The study highlights the necessity for a distinctive and inclusive healthcare system tailored to meet their needs. The statement advocates for the implementation of innovative strategies to improve the accessibility, sensitivity, and quality of healthcare services for this marginalized population.