Telangana's Dr Koyyala Ruth John Paul completes MD in Emergency Medicine

Dr Koyyala Ruth John Paul, a doctor from Telangana, has completed a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Emergency Medicine at ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad. According to Medical Dialogues, she is the first transgender doctor in India to complete a postgraduate medical course.

Dr Ruth currently works as a Medical Officer at the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centre at Osmania General Hospital, which deals with HIV/AIDS.

"I am feeling very happy. It is a matter of pride for me and my community. It is a great achievement in my life," she told The Hindu, as quoted by Medical Dialogues.

The road to a postgraduate seat

After school and intermediate studies in her home district of Khammam, Dr Ruth cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and began her undergraduate medical education. She completed her MBBS at Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences in 2018.

According to Medical Dialogues, citing reports, 15 hospitals in Hyderabad turned her down after she finished her MBBS. In 2021 she took up part-time work at Mitr Clinic, now called Sabrang Clinic, and stayed there for around two years while she prepared for postgraduate entrance examinations.

The counselling process brought a fresh obstacle, as there were no clear admission procedures for transgender candidates. Citing IANS, Medical Dialogues reports that Dr Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, which regulates medical admissions in Telangana, told her that her MBBS certificates did not match the identity on her government documents. She had submitted the transgender ID certificate issued by the Telangana government along with other papers, but the authorities were not convinced.

The legal battle lasted nearly two years. An interim order from the High Court eventually allowed her to proceed with admission, and in 2023 she secured a postgraduate seat in Emergency Medicine at ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Sanathnagar.

About Dr Ruth

Dr Ruth is the youngest of three siblings and grew up in a family with limited financial resources. She lost her father at the age of eight and was raised by her mother.

According to Medical Dialogues, she came out as a transgender woman during her medical education, after which her family reportedly rejected her. She stayed separated from them for nearly six years and struggled financially. "There were times when I did not even have food," she told The Hindu.

What comes next

Dr Ruth says she wants to use her training for people in need, particularly transgender persons who require emergency and critical care.

"I want to serve everyone, especially transgender people who face critical medical emergencies. I want to provide care without discrimination based on gender identity or sexuality," she said, according to Medical Dialogues.

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