Inspired by Beed-based Lalit Salve’s sex reassignment surgery, Rita Devi, 36, an electricity board official from Assam, has approached St George’s Hospital for a similar operation.
The surgery, however, is being delayed as the hospital needs an approval from the Assam government for a month’s leave for the patient.
Devi’s friends said her decision to undergo a sex reassignment surgery was inspired by police constable Lalit Salve from Beed. After Salve’s case, as many as 12 other patients from across the state, most of them women, have enquired at St George’s Hospital about the procedure.
Salve also has been approached by more than five women, enquiring about the sex change procedure and its effectiveness.
Devi underwent preliminary medical check-up at St George’s Hospital on Wednesday and returned to her home town in Assam. “The only issue with her surgery is that we have to take permission from the Assam government since the surgery and recuperating period will take at least a month. Her initial check-up is done and we will be happy to perform the surgery as soon as the legal and administrative issues are resolved,” said Dr Madhukar Gaikwad, medical superintendent, St George’s Hospital.
Gaikwad further added that Devi’s case was different from Salve’s as X-rays have shown Devi’s genitals to be fully-formed.“In Salve’s case, the genitals were under-developed, for which we had to perform a separate plastic surgery. Rita’s case is comparatively different since her genitals are fully-formed,” he added. Prasanjeet Paul, Devi’s friend, said Devi is likely to be back to Mumbai for further tests. “Right now, Devi needs support from all the possible sources for the tough decision she has made. We are already working on availing the government permissions and I hope we get them soon for her to undergo the surgery.”
{{/usCountry}}Gaikwad further added that Devi’s case was different from Salve’s as X-rays have shown Devi’s genitals to be fully-formed.“In Salve’s case, the genitals were under-developed, for which we had to perform a separate plastic surgery. Rita’s case is comparatively different since her genitals are fully-formed,” he added. Prasanjeet Paul, Devi’s friend, said Devi is likely to be back to Mumbai for further tests. “Right now, Devi needs support from all the possible sources for the tough decision she has made. We are already working on availing the government permissions and I hope we get them soon for her to undergo the surgery.”
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