West Bengal to teach its hospitals how to be more sensitive towards vulnerable communities

West Bengal will conduct a series of workshops in December in which healthcare professionals from government hospitals across the State will be taught how to become more gender responsive and show greater sensitivity to vulnerable communities such as LGBT persons and trauma survivors.

According to the organisers, the collaboration with psychiatric social work experts and State health institutions makes the programme one of the first structured, hospital-based, multi-stakeholder initiatives of its kind in the State.

The workshops will be held on December 5, 17 and 23 at the Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata, and they are being organised by the Department of Psychiatric Social Work (SSKM Hospital) and the Child in Need Institute in collaboration with the Institute of Health and Family Welfare.

“Healthcare settings are often the first place that people turn to when they face discrimination, violence, or distress related to gender identity. But there is a need for awareness, enhancing sensitivity, and the readiness to respond. This gap affects both physical care and mental wellbeing. The programme has been created to address these gaps,” said Mayank Kumar, head of the hospital’s Department of Psychiatric Social Work.

“Recent community feedback and field experiences highlighted the urgent need for trained healthcare professionals who understand gender diversity, can recognise signs of distress or trauma, and can respond in a supportive and non-judgmental way. The aim is to strengthen the professionals so that the vulnerable populations visiting hospitals and health centres can feel emotionally safe,” Mr. Kumar said.

He added that the purpose behind conducting a series was to send the message that inclusion was not just a policy idea but something that people would feel the moment they walk into a hospital. “Training programmes like this create a ripple effect. Once a hospital team becomes more aware and confident, the entire environment becomes safer, calmer, and more welcoming for patients who may already be carrying a heavy emotional burden,” he said.

The sessions will focus on building clarity on gender concepts and their link to mental health and wellbeing; understanding the needs and challenges faced by gender-diverse individuals in clinical settings; learning practical ways to prevent and respond to gender-based violence; improving communication skills for inclusive and respectful patient interaction; and strengthening institutional practices to make healthcare safe and non-discriminatory. The participants will be a mix of clinical and non-clinical staff who directly influence patient experience.