Malkangiri: Taking a strong step towards LGBTQI inclusion at the workplace, District Headquarter Hospital (DHH) of Malkangiri has employed five transgenders as security officials for its Obstetrics and Gynecology department.
The appointed transgenders are Durga Kinnar, Sonali Kinnar, Tushar Pattnaik, Kailash Dora, and John Hial. Their appointment was under the Nirmal Scheme. They were trained by the Malkangiri Police before getting posted at the DHH via a private security firm.
The newly appointed security guards’ duties include maintenance of order in the wards, helping out patients or their attendants in a possible manner among other duties. They work in rotational 8-hour shifts.
One of the appointees Durga Kinnar spoke to OMMCOM NEWS about the respect this job has given them. Currently posted at Labour Wards, she said, “15 of us had received training for two weeks days from the district administration at the SP office. Five of us were selected for Malkangiri DHH. Doctors and staff have been very supportive from the beginning. Now even the patients and attendants laud us for our dedication and hard work.”
The liberal thinking of Naveen-led government has earned admiration from all corners of the society. Meanwhile, the transgenders’ diligence has set an example for others like them.