Breaking down barriers to trans and gender-diverse-inclusive healthcare in Uganda
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Sarah Nangobi (not her real name) is a nurse at a public health centre in Jinja, one of Uganda’s busy commercial hubs. Like many of her colleagues across the country, she has encountered trans and gender-diverse patients seeking care. But unlike before, she no longer hesitates when they walk through her clinic doors.
“I used to feel confused when someone’s appearance didn’t match their national ID,” Nangobi admits. “I didn’t know how to address them, and sometimes I would just refer to them elsewhere because I was uncomfortable.”
If you work in healthcare in Uganda, this might sound familiar. Many medical personnel have struggled with providing services to trans and gender-diverse patients, often due to a lack of knowledge, cultural biases, or institutional barriers that leave both providers and patients frustrated.
With support from UNAIDS, this was what Tranz Network Uganda (TNU) was trying to address with its groundbreaking healthcare provider training program. As a leading advocacy organisation, TNU focuses on advancing the rights and well-being of trans and gender-diverse people across Uganda.
