Monday 17 March 2025 12:24 GMT

Media reports transgender clinic in India closing following USAID funding freeze


(MENAFN) India's first transgender clinic, Mitr, has been shut down, as reported by local media. The clinic, which provided vital services such as general health consultations, HIV testing, mental health support, and assistance with legal and social services for the transgender community, was established in Hyderabad in 2021, with additional clinics in Mumbai and Pune.

Mitr clinic had been supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provided essential healthcare services to the transgender population. The clinic's closure follows a 90-day freeze on US foreign aid, which includes over $40 billion in funding for global projects, including healthcare initiatives. The freeze, implemented by US President Donald Trump, led to the suspension of thousands of programs worldwide and placed several USAID officials on leave.

The suspension of operations at Mitr Clinic began shortly after the funding cuts were announced at the end of January. The clinic’s closure has drawn attention from US Republican lawmakers, such as Senator John Kennedy, who questioned USAID's funding of the transgender clinic. Additionally, concerns about foreign interference in India's elections were raised by Indian officials after President Trump commented on USAID's involvement in voter turnout initiatives in India.

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