MUMBAI, June 19 -- After a long Covid-induced pause, Mumbai's St George's Hospital has resumed free sex reassignment surgeries, offering renewed hope to individuals seeking gender-affirming care. In the last six months alone, three patients have benefited, and more are now enrolling for the procedure. "This isn't just about surgery. It's about restoring dignity, giving people the right to live as who they are," said Dr Sagar Gundewar, head of the plastic surgery department, who revived the service post-pandemic. The department had remained non-functional during Covid-19 but is now actively treating patients from across Maharashtra. The push for such services gained momentum after the 2018 case of Lalita Salve, a police constable from Beed district, who received official permission for gender reassignment. Since then, awareness around gender-affirming care has grown, but access has remained unaffordable. Private hospitals charge between Rs.15,00,000 and Rs.20,00,000 for such procedures. At St George's, they are provided free of cost. "We've seen a surge in demand. The need is real, and we're proud to meet it," said JJ Hospital dean Dr Ajay Bhandarwar. Among those who have recently undergone surgery is Rakesh (name changed), who began identifying as a woman at the age of 16. "I used to cry seeing myself in the mirror. I didn't feel like myself," she said. After completing psychological and hormonal evaluations in November 2024, she underwent surgery at St George's. "Now, I feel complete. I can live as who I truly am," said Rakesh, who now works in the private sector. Shreya (name changed), a 40-year-old woman from Nanded, was born with underdeveloped reproductive organs due to hormonal imbalances. Though married, she struggled with physical intimacy. Doctors at St George's successfully developed the missing organs. "I never thought I'd live a normal married life. This changed everything," she said. Anamika (name changed) from Solapur, who has identified as male since childhood said, "I've dressed and lived like a boy since I was nine." Despite family opposition, she proceeded with gender reassignment. Her breasts and uterus were removed, and she is preparing for the final phase-construction of male genitalia. "It's not easy. But this is who I am. I've waited all my life for this." Explaining the medical framework behind the surgeries, Dr Gundewar said, "We begin with a psychiatric evaluation. Once cleared, patients undergo hormone therapy-estrogen for male-to-female, testosterone for female-to-male transitions. After at least four months, they become eligible for surgery." The procedures are performed in multiple stages. "We remove the original sex organs, then reconstruct new ones," he said. Dr Vinayak Sawardekar, medical superintendent, credited institutional support with reviving the service. "This facility was dormant for years. Today, we are giving people new lives," he said....