The State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC), Kerala, shared insights on its ongoing Queer-Inclusive Health System Project during the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Healthcare Training Workshop. The workshop, held at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies (AMCHSS), was organized in collaboration with the iHear AffirmCare Sangath and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), with the support off SHSRC-K.

Dr. V. Jithesh, Executive Director of SHSRC-Kerala, highlighted the evolution of the Queer-Inclusive Health System Project and outlined its planned implementation within Kerala's health system. He emphasized the project's foundation in the Idam Campaign focusing on inclusiveness of gender and sexual minorities, the Community Link Worker (CLW) programme of NHM Kerala and the collaborative initiative of SHSRC with Mariwala Health Initiative.

The workshop focused on sensitizing medical educators to the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in medical care. Participants engaged in group-based case discussions to explore real-life scenarios and enhance understanding.

Dr. Khan Amir introduced the handbook “Colours in Your Care”, a comprehensive guide for medical educators on LGBTQIA+ affirmative healthcare. Dr. Jaysree led a lecture on the legal aspects of LGBTQIA+ community, while Dr. Joshua and Dr. Aiswarya conducted sessions introducing basic LGBTQIA+ terminologies and concepts.

Dr. Anant Bhan, Project Lead of Sangath's Bhopal Hub and Prof. Dr. Biju Soman, Head of AMCHSS, SCTIMST addressed various aspects of queer health during the workshop. SHSRC-K Research Officers Dr. Manju Madhavan, Dr. Bhavya Fernandez, Dr. Aravind Chandru, and Research Assistants Dr. Shwetha Ashok, and Ms. Silpa Sara Abraham, participated in the workshop