Hyderabad’s Mitr Clinic shuts down after USAID funding freeze

USAID suspension forces closure of India’s first transgender healthcare center

Hyderabad’s Mitr Clinic, India’s first dedicated healthcare center for the transgender community, has ceased operations following a funding halt initiated by the United States government. The closure was triggered by an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, which imposed a 90-day freeze on all US foreign assistance. The funding freeze affected over $40 billion in global aid allocated through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), directly impacting projects like Project ACCELERATE, under which Mitr Clinic operated.

Impact of funding freeze on Mitr Clinic

Mitr Clinic, which functioned as a comprehensive healthcare facility for transgender individuals, was supported by USAID and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The clinic provided free, specialized medical and social services, including:

• General health consultations
• HIV screening and counselling
• HIV/STI treatment and prevention services
• Mental health support
• Gender-affirming care (hormone therapy, referrals for gender-confirmation surgeries)
  Legal and social protection assistance

However, following the abrupt funding halt, all services were discontinued. Rachana, a trans health expert associated with the clinic, confirmed the closure. “We were informed that the US President had announced a halt to our clinic’s funding, and since then, the clinic has been shut,” she stated. The announcement was made in the final days of January 2025, leaving both staff members and beneficiaries without support.

Mitr Clinic was first established in Hyderabad’s Narayanguda in January 2021 as part of a pioneering initiative to bridge the healthcare gap for transgender individuals. Recognizing its success, two additional clinics were opened in Pune and Thane. However, the fate of these centers now remains uncertain, as the funding freeze affects all facilities under the Project ACCELERATE program.

Until its closure, the Hyderabad clinic employed seven transgender individuals and provided medical and social services to an estimated 150–200 LGBTQIA+ members each month. The sudden shutdown has left staff members unemployed and has severely impacted the transgender and gender-diverse community, who often struggle to access inclusive and non-discriminatory healthcare in India.

The closure of Mitr Clinic underscores the vulnerability of international aid-dependent projects, especially those aimed at marginalized communities. Without alternative funding sources, the shutdown could lead to severe consequences for transgender individuals who rely on these services for both medical and social support.

Uncertain future for Mitr Clinic and similar initiatives

The suspension of USAID funding has affected several global healthcare initiatives, with transgender healthcare programs being among the hardest hit. The Indian government has not yet announced any plans to intervene or provide alternative funding to sustain Mitr Clinic’s operations. Advocacy groups and LGBTQIA+ activists are now urging domestic and international organizations to step in and provide financial support.

For now, the transgender community in Hyderabad and beyond is left without a crucial healthcare safety net, with many fearing that the progress made in transgender healthcare accessibility could suffer a major setback.

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