Following the interest shown by the District Medical Officer (Health) and team of Wayanad district, to make all health institutions in Wayanad Queer Inclusive, the State Health Systems Resource Centre–Kerala (SHSRC-K), in collaboration with the Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), Mumbai, and with the support of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Kerala, and the National Health Mission (NHM), Kerala, conducted two sensitisation meetings on Queer Inclusiveness of Health Systems on the 15th and 17th October 2025. A total of 55 healthcare staff from across Wayanad district participated in these sessions. The sensitisation trainings were led by Dr. V. Jithesh, Executive Director, SHSRC-K.

From among the sensitised participants, a pool of healthcare staff was selected for further capacity building to serve as trainers in creating a queer-inclusive health system. A Training of Trainers session was subsequently organised for this selected group, along with district-level officials, at Kumbalangi, Ernakulam from 31st October to 2nd November 2025.

The Training of Trainers Programme was inaugurated by Dr. Ashadevi, DMO(H), Ernakulam in a function presided over by Dr. Dineesh P, Deputy DMO, Wayanad, Dr.V. Jithesh, Executive Director, SHSRC-K, welcomed the participants and shared insights on SHSRC-K’s ongoing efforts and vision toward building a queer-inclusive health system in Kerala. Dr. Shruthi Chakravarthi, Chief Advisor, Mariwala Health Initiative, also addressed the gathering and appreciated the strong collaboration with SHSRC-K.

During the workshop, the trainers engaged participants in discussions on group dynamics and strategies for managing different behavioural types of participants. They also focused on developing facilitation skills essential for conducting effective sensitisation workshops, with special emphasis on transgender awareness and inclusive communication. The sessions also covered unique life stressors experienced by the queer community. Additionally, group debates were conducted to deepen understanding of queer community issues, along with interactive activities that helped participants learn how to handle and respond effectively to difficult questions during training.

The interactive sessions were led by Dr. Shruthi Chakravarthi and Pooja Nair from MHI, explored key concepts, challenges faced by queer communities, and approaches for inclusive healthcare delivery. Transgender Community Link Workers Ashrin and Faisal Faisu from Ernakulam enriched the sessions by sharing their lived experiences.

The training concluded with participants presenting mock training sessions, reflecting their learning, confidence, and commitment to advancing inclusivity within the public health system. Feedback was collected from the participants to further strengthen future training initiatives.

The broader aim of the initiative is to sensitise all healthcare staff in Wayanad district in batches, led by the trained trainers, and to declare Wayanad as the first district with a Queer Inclusive Health System in Kerala by February 2026. The model will subsequently be scaled up to other districts across the state. SHSRC-K continues to lead initiatives that strengthen Kerala’s health systems through collaboration, inclusion, and community engagement