Brazil is home to about 1.9% of the Brazilian adult population, or about 4 million transgender people. However, these people do not always receive adequate medical care and may end up self-medicating to make a hormonal transition that, according to the Department of Health, can cause serious problems.

However, there are only two transgender clinics in Santa Catarina that serve the population. The information was confirmed by SES / SC (Minister of Health of Santa Catarina).

There are only two transgender clinics in Santa Catarina – Photo: Disclosure/SMS/ND

Often because of shame, fear and lack of support, transgender people go through a series of challenges alone. For this reason, outpatient clinics for transgender people, providing specialized care to the population, are becoming increasingly important, confirms one patient who was treated at one of the outpatient clinics, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Only two locations:

Florianopolis

The Trans Ambulatory in Florianopolis has existed since 2015. However, according to specialists and patients, the need for space in the city is increasing, and this began thanks to residents, medical workers and activists. Today the site serves about 800 people.

Oli Cardenas, 31, a transsexual, speaks about the importance of service. For her, location shouldn’t be necessary, but unfortunately it is.

“It is very important to be welcoming, everyone who works with health knows this, but many prefer not to welcome transgender and non-binary people. This established transphobia is a barrier that prevents us from accessing healthcare services. At Ambulatorio Trans, I know that I will be respected and welcomed. There is no need for a transambulatory, but, unfortunately, there is one,” he says.

Marcello Medeiros Lucena, family doctor and outpatient coordinator, says the place offers not only care, but comprehensive care for transgender people.

“Ambulatorio Trans de Florianópolis appeared there in 2015. It appeared at the initiative of residents of family medicine and with the important participation of social movements. We do not have any one specialty, we do not concentrate on one thing, but we have an expanded view of the health of those we serve,” he explains.

The outpatient clinic in Florianopolis operates from a polyclinic in the central area of ​​the city – Photo: PMF/Disclosure/ND

The place, which is now in Policlinica Centro, already had several addresses throughout the city. It started at the Lagoa da Conceição Medical Center and went through the Campeche and Saco Grande Medical Centers.

The space recently celebrated an achievement, according to the coordinator. This is because the polyclinic has been qualified to receive direct resources from the Ministry of Health. With it, you can invest more in serving transgender people in the city.

People who are interested in accessing the site should be directed to the health centers or can make an appointment via whatsapp at the outpatient clinic at (48) 8838-5349.

San Jose

In San José, according to City Hall, a service is held every Tuesday, except public holidays, from 18:00 to 22:00 on the second floor of the Campinas Policlinic, located on Avenida Governor. Jorge Lacerda, no. 193.

Services offered: doctor’s consultation with clinical complaints and consultations on hormonal therapy; consultations of nurses with preventive and rapid tests; psychological guidance and counselling; and social and family support in the context of primary health care.

According to the Department of Health, the clinic serves 30 to 35 people a day between appointments and spontaneous demand.

Those wishing to participate on site can make an appointment via Whatsapp at (48) 98468-3260 or email: [email protected].