You may be familiar with the work of LoveYourself, Inc. and EpiC Philippines in providing services and awareness campaigns for sexual and gender minorities. Back in 2021, LoveYourself has even established trans health-focused centers. But did you know that the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Sexual and Gender Minority clinic also provides services promoting trans health care?
UP One’s True Nature (OTN) Society chairperson Riem Dante, RND posted a tweet on May 9 inviting our trans siblings to sign up for sexual health consultations from the UP-PGH clinic under gender advocate Dr. Sherri Ann Suplido.
“For consultations regarding sexual health, especially medical and social transitioning, the clinic at OPD (Outpatient Department) Room 134 is open to new patients from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Dante wrote.
“Please message any OTN member or alum for questions or help in scheduling for a consultation,” he added.
‼️ PSA ‼️
For consults regarding sexual health, especially medical & social transitioning, the clinic at OPD Rm 134 is open to new patients from 8AM to 2PM!
Please message any @otn_upmed mem or alum for questions or if in need of help in scheduling for a consult. 💜 https://t.co/Jx3QRwcM8q pic.twitter.com/DRxVcCWQG8
— riem dante, rnd 🌾 (@justdants) May 9, 2023
“To our trans siblings, please know that every sector of the UP-PGH community is working towards better access to sexual health and gender-affirming care,” Dante also stated in a message sent to Preen. “From our medical students at the UP OTN Society making sure health care workers are sensitive to LGBTQ+ issues and health concerns, to the Division of Sexual Health bridging the gaps in healthcare.”
The Sexual and Gender Minority clinic falls under the PGH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Division of Sexual Health (DSH), which was launched in November 2021.
Among the services DHS offers are consultations for sexual and gender minorities, counseling for victims of sexual violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, and management of morbidities related to the side effects of patients who underwent gender-affirming treatments.
They also provide counseling and education on mental health issues related to sexual health, the impact of physical disabilities and chronic illnesses on sexual well-being, sexual dysfunction, sexual relationship problems, safe and satisfying sexual experiences as well as sexual health education for adolescents.
The DHS states that the goal is to “advocate for the sexual and reproductive well-being of cis-gender women and sexual gender minorities and promote trans health care for all age groups from adolescence to the post-menopausal period” considering how many “avoid seeking health care due to fear of discrimination and disrespect in the clinic setting.”
Don’t miss out on this service. We all deserve to have our sexual and reproductive health protected.
Photo by Aiden Craver on Unsplash
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