DOST finances study on transgender

A TOP official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), has approved the release of more than P200,000 study grant on transgender in Zamboanga City.

DOST Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said the study is entitled "Clinical and Metabolic Profile of Male-to-Female Transgender in Zamboanga City." It is expected to commence in March and shall be completed in six months period.

Manzano said the research will receive funding assistance of P232,223 from the DOST-PCHRD through the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD).

The conduct of the study is in line with the growing number of transgenders in the country who are currently taking self-prescribed hormone replacement therapy, added Manzano.

Dr. Alex Pang Jr., Zamboanga City Medical Center researcher and medical resident, said the study aims to increase awareness not only among male to female transsexuals, but also among health practitioners on the effects of taking self-prescribed cross-sex hormone therapy.

Pang said the treatment of such individuals to acquire the physical appearance of other sex is through hormonal treatment or surgical manipulation.

The study will also determine the characteristics of transgender currently or previously on cross-sex hormonal treatment, he added.

He said the research findings will also help the Department of Health in conducting thorough investigation and research on related issues that will contribute to policy formulation to regulate its use, aside from gaining better knowledge and understanding on the results or consequences of taking self-prescribed hormonal replacement therapy. (Bong Garcia)

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DOST finances study on transgender