Inspired by Salve, Assam woman seeks sex change

Mumbai: Nearly two months after city doctors performed a sex reassignment surgery (SRS) on Beed constable Lalita Salve at state-run St. George Hospital, inspired by media coverage of Salve’s case, a woman (36) from Assam named Rita Devi has approached the same hospital for SRS surgery.

The doctors on Thursday performed a battery of tests, including X-ray scan, electrocardiography (ECG) and blood tests, on Devi to decide whether or not she was fit for surgery. Like Salve, Devi, too, has faced hormonal issues and wants to undergo a gender change from female to male. In fact, one of the tests revealed that Devi had been genetically male all along, with XY sex chromosomes (women have XX chromosomes). Devi hails from Hojai, a small village in Assam, where very few people are aware of SRS.

Medical superintendent of St George Hospital, Dr Madhukar Gaikwad, said, “We performed a few tests on her on Thursday in our outpatient department (OPD). She will be counseled about the sex change operation as well. Then a final decision about SRS will be taken following approval from the Assam government.”

Devi said, “I was suffering from this disorder from my childhood. Gradually, I came to know about this through media. In my village and state, no one is aware of sex reassignment surgery. I have confided in my sister and family about my ordeal. When I heard and read about Salve, I understood.”

Dr Rajat Kapoor said that like Salve, who always maintained that he was a man on the inside, Devi, too, felt the same. “We have received Devi’s request, will take note of her test reports, and take a decision accordingly,” he said.