TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛福部) in Taiwan unveiled new guidelines last month to improve healthcare for LGBT+ individuals, allowing transgender surgeries for minors aged 12 to 18 following a professional evaluation. According to reports on Monday (Jan. 13), this initiative aims to address the stigma and harm many face due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The guidelines emphasize providing quality care with empathy and support through professional understanding. They cover the medical needs of gender-diverse individuals, suggest arrangements for a welcoming healthcare environment, and outline friendly medical responses and related rights. Before surgery, medical institutions must explain the reasons, success rates, and potential complications to patients or their legal representatives, securing consent for both surgery and anesthesia.
The MOHW guidelines specify that transgender surgeries are generally inadvisable for those under 12 unless a professional team identifies cancerous or physiological dysfunction. For minors aged 12 to 18 experiencing adjustment difficulties, a professional evaluation is required before proceeding with surgery.
The professional team conducting the surgeries should include a chromosome testing laboratory and specialists in pediatric endocrinology, pediatric surgery, and psychologists experienced in adolescent evaluations. These guidelines represent a significant step in ensuring that gender-diverse individuals receive appropriate and compassionate medical care. As Taiwan continues to lead in progressive healthcare policies, these measures could set a precedent for other regions to follow.
