Family rejection, hunger and a court battle: Hyderabad’s Ruth John Paul becomes India’s first transgender PG doctor
“I am feeling very happy. It is a matter of pride for me and my community. It is a great achievement in my life,” says Ruth John Paul
Dr. Koyyala Ruth John Paul, the youngest of three siblings from Khammam district, India, has achieved a historic milestone as the first transgender person to complete a postgraduate medical course in the country. Born and raised in a financially constrained family, she lost her father at the age of eight and was raised by her mother.
After coming out as a transgender woman during her undergraduate medical studies, her family ostracized her, leading to a six-year period of estrangement and financial hardship. Dr. Ruth Paul struggled to find employment during this time and relied on part-time work at India's first transgender clinic, Mitr Clinic (now Sabrang Clinic).
Despite the challenges, she persevered and cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to pursue undergraduate medical education. Her path to postgraduate medical education faced obstacles due to the lack of clear admission procedures for transgender candidates. With the support of transgender rights activist Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, she sought legal recourse from the Telangana High Court, which eventually granted her admission in 2023.
Dr. Ruth Paul's journey has been marked by resilience and determination, navigating both the academic and social challenges of being a transgender medical student. Currently serving as an emergency medicine trainee, she aims to use her medical expertise to provide care without discrimination, particularly for transgender individuals facing critical medical emergencies.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
