The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, has successfully performed the country’s first gender reassignment surgery. The procedure, conducted on a 25-year-old transgender woman from Janakpur, involved reconstructing male genital tissue to create female genitalia, marking a significant step forward in transgender healthcare in Nepal.
The surgery was part of a series of operations organized by TUTH’s Plastic Surgery Department from May 26 to May 29, 2025, specifically tailored for the transgender community. Alongside the gender reassignment surgery, procedures such as facial and breast surgeries were also performed during this period, addressing various needs of transgender individuals.
Dr. Gopal Sedain, the hospital’s spokesperson and associate professor, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating that the availability of such services within Nepal eliminates the need for transgender individuals to seek expensive treatments abroad.
“Gender reassignment is a sensitive and complex procedure that can be prohibitively costly. Now that this service is available in Nepal, it will provide significant relief to the transgender community and serve as a vital step toward fulfilling their gender identity,” Dr. Sedain said.
The surgery was led by foreign plastic surgeon Dr. Alireza Hamidian Jahromi, with coordination from Professor Dr. Jayan Man Shrestha, head of TUTH’s Plastic Surgery Department, and the involvement of the hospital’s entire plastic surgery and anesthesia team. Their collaborative effort ensured the procedure’s success, setting a precedent for future operations.
Dr. Shrestha announced that TUTH will establish a dedicated “Gender Affirming Clinic” to provide such services regularly, ensuring consistent access to gender-affirming care for Nepal’s transgender community.
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Suraj Ghimire
View More PostsSuraj Ghimire is a Nepali journalist based in Kathmandu. He focuses on political, social, migration, and international issues. He has also worked with various national television networks in Nepal.
