Our right to access, dignity, and care—
healthcare without discrimination.

Our right to access, dignity, and care
—healthcare without discrimination.

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. However, due to criminalisation under Malaysian law, LGBTIQ-affirming services remain largely unavailable in both public and private healthcare systems. Trans-specific healthcare—including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender affirming surgeries—is non-existent in government hospitals and clinics. Even basic medical care can be difficult for transgender people to access. 

As a result, many transgender people turn to private healthcare providers or seek treatment abroad, often at a significant financial burden. Those unable to afford these options self-medicate or rely on underground sources, putting their health at serious risk. 

Discrimination in healthcare settings is widespread, with reports of doctors refusing to touch patients, openly shaming them, or providing rushed and inadequate care. These negative experiences have eroded trust in healthcare providers, leading many LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people to avoid seeking medical attention altogether. Fear of discrimination also prevents patients from disclosing their full medical history, which can impact the quality of care they receive. 

According to UNAIDS, punitive laws targeting LGBTIQ people create barriers to effective HIV responses. While public HIV-related healthcare exists, all key affected populations—including LGBTIQ and gender-diverse people, drug users, and sex workers—are criminalised under Malaysian law. This legal and social stigma discourages people from accessing vital healthcare services, further marginalising those most at risk. 

JFS, PLUHO, SEED, and Kemban Kolektif have developed the Akses Bersama directory of health services and resources to improve access to LGBTIQ-affirming services.