A medical professor at Jamia Hamdard, a community medicine specialist, and most recently the nodal officer of the COVID-19 vaccination centre at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Dr. Aqsa Shaikh wears many hats. “Can I lay claim to (the legacy of) being the only transgender person to head a Covid-19 vaccination centre in India?” Dr. Shaikh wondered on Twitter, following which her tweet was flooded with congratulations and encouragement from friends and netizens.

Since childhood, Dr. Shaikh enjoyed playing with girls. When put in a boys school, she felt alienated from her surroundings. However, once she realised that a gender-transformation surgery is possible, she began to see a ray of hope. After opening up to a counsellor, she eventually came out to her family and friends and decided to undergo a gender reassignment surgery and change her name and gender legally.

Not only is Dr. Shaikh the only transgender nodal officer of a Covid vaccination centre, she is also one of the co-investigators in clinical trials on Sputnik V Covid vaccine, and is driven by a passion to bring positive change in the society. Also an activist and writer, she also runs a blog and founded an NGO by the name of ‘Human Solidarity Foundation’ which provided relief to many during the pandemic.

Dr. Shaikh knows that the battle doesn’t end with Gender Reassignment. “Getting into a school or to get a job without being discriminated against or even using a washroom without feeling unsafe. All these are daily challenges. We also have challenges of marriage, adoption and surrogacy.”

The challenges are endless, but Dr. Shaikh is proud of her achievements and hopes for a better tomorrow.