Hyderabad’s first transgender healthcare centre, the Mitr Clinic, has been closed down as a result of an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, which created a 90-day halt to all foreign assistance under USAID.
Mitr Clinic, which had been run as a non-profit under Project ACCELERATE, was compelled to shut down once Trump’s executive order cut funding. The budget of USAID has been cut by 92% as a part of Trump’s attempt to eliminate about $60 billion worth of overseas humanitarian and development programs. USAID is responsible for disbursing US aid throughout the world and funding health and emergency programs in about 120 nations.
A Lifeline to the Transgender Community
Mitr Clinic was the first in India that catered to the transgender community in terms of a healthcare center, with services including general health check-ups at no charge, HIV testing and counseling, STI treatment, mental health services, gender affirmation, and legal and social protection program assistance.
It was introduced in 2021, and its success made it possible for two additional centers to be established in Pune and Thane. But it is not clear whether the clinics can sustain themselves due to the freezing of funds.
As of January 2025, the Hyderabad clinic had seven transgender staff members and treated 150–200 LGBTQIA+ clients per month, reports The Hindu. Its sudden closure has deprived the staff of jobs and denied a marginalized population its vital healthcare support.
Musk Weighs In
In response to the shutdown, billionaire businessman and Doge creator Elon Musk took to social media to comment, “That’s what American tax dollars were funding,” seeming to express doubt over US taxpayer support for such projects.
As USAID funds are left in doubt, the future of comparable projects in India and other developing countries is at stake.
