Key measures include the creation of separate check-in counters, rooms and toilets.
In a historic move towards more inclusive healthcare, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has unveiled the Transgender and Intersex Protection and Welfare Policy 2025, paving the way for major reforms across the province’s public health system.
This policy marks a significant step forward in ensuring that transgender and intersex people receive the care, respect and dignity they deserve.
The newly launched policy, approved and disseminated by the Health Sector Reform Unit (HSRU), focuses on creating a healthcare environment where every individual is treated fairly, without discrimination.
It is now in force and all KP health officials, including district health officers and medical superintendents of DHQ hospitals, are expected to follow the stated guidelines.
The policy introduces several key provisions aimed at making health care more accessible and respectful for transgender and intersex people. Separate check-in counters, rooms and toilets are among the first changes that will be implemented in health facilities.
These changes are intended to give people privacy and comfort when visiting hospitals and clinics, solving long-standing issues facing this community.
Perhaps most importantly, the policy ensures non-discriminatory service fees, meaning transgender and intersex people will no longer face additional financial burdens when seeking healthcare.
It also highlights the need for respectful treatment of all patients, urging health care providers to treat every person with dignity.
In addition to these structural changes, the policy requires that regular compliance reports be submitted, allowing health officials to track progress and make necessary improvements.
Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan called the policy a “progressive shift” in the province’s approach to healthcare, aligning KP with broader human rights commitments. Its vision is clear: eliminate systemic discrimination and ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to access to quality health services.
