The first-of-its-kind clinic was inaugurated in 2021 following which its success drove the opening of two more clinics in Pune and Thane. It is, however, not clear whether these clinics will be able to sustain themselves in the wake of Trump’s aid freezeread moreIndia’s first transgender healthcare centre in Hyderabad has shut down after an order from US President Donald Trump imposed a 90-day freezing on all foreign assistance under USAID.The Mitr Clinic in Hyderabad had to pull its shutter after Project ACCELERATE, the non-profit it was operating under, was hit by Trump’s executive order that halted all funding.The United States has slashed its multi-year aid contracts by 92 per cent, as it sought around $60 billion in savings in development and overseas humanitarian programs. USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.AdvertisementAbout Mitr ClinicMitr Clinic served as a comprehensive support centre, providing free services including general health consultations, HIV counselling and testing, treatment for HIV and other STIs, mental health care, gender affirmation services, and guidance on accessing legal and social protection programs.The first-of-its-kind clinic was inaugurated in 2021 following which its success drove the opening of two more clinics in Pune and Thane. It is, however, not clear whether these clinics will be able to sustain themselves in the wake of Trump’s aid freeze.By January 2025, the Hyderabad clinic had a team of seven transgender employees and served 150–200 LGBTQIA+ individuals each month, according to a report by The Hindu. Its abrupt closure has not only resulted in job losses for the staff but has also stripped a vulnerable community of crucial healthcare support.Musk reactsReacting to the closure of the Mitr Clinic, Doge’s Elon Musk said, “That’s what American tax dollars were funding.”More from India
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