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make start pageBrazil allows sex change for free |
Aug 21, 2007 |
Brazilians now can perform sex change surgery at the expense of state health system. The sex-change surgery was included in the list of medical operations that are free of charge.
The new decision will favor sex change operations to be paid by state, a judge in Rio Grande do Sul state reported.
Though in order to have an operation a person should be over 21 and should undergo psychological examination. An individual will also have to ask for approval from regional and municipal health secretariats. This is necessary to study all the psychological and medical aspects of sex change for particular patient. It is possible to have a specialist surgeon who would be in charge for transsexual issues only and to determine whether an individual can have a surgery.
The right for sex change equals to constitutional right concerning human dignity and equality, private life and right for free HIV medical treatment, the court decided.
This decision to pay for sex-change surgeries from state budget is thought to be more effective than lack of labor of force people who suffer from emotional problems regarding their gender identity. people who feel that they need a sex change surgery often commit suicide or suffer from other psychological problems just because they have no possibilities to have their sex changed.
Earlier sex change surgeries were performed in private clinics, where as much as 250 people could afford the operation. Approximately one out of 10,000 people want a gender change.
