Transgender Health and Wellness Centre is recognised as FICTC for HIV testing

The Transgender Health and Wellness Centre (TGHWC) in Imphal, the first transgender health clinic in Northeast India has now been recognized as a ‘Facilitybased Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (FICTC)’ by Manipur State AIDS Control Society. Launched in March 2021, TGHWC has the objective to provide holistic healthcare to the transgender community by improving accessibility to HIV services and other related services. This is a joint initiative of I-TECH India, National AIDS Control Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Manipur State AIDS Control Society, and its implementing partner, the Maruploi Foundation. As a FICTC, the TGHWC will accommodate other vulnerable clients and partners from the key population in a safe space led by the transgender community. This is a unique opportunity to use ‘transgender health’ as an entry point to reach other key populations, mainstream issues around gender vulnerabilities towards HIV, and create a holistic comprehensive approach towards transgender health.