persons. The following rating was given, most of the respondents agreed that there were gaps and as shown in table 29 below: Table 29: The gaps in the healthcare system for respondents Item Min 1. Lack of gender affirmation surgeries 4.70 2. Lack of information on trans specific healthcare needs 4.68 3. Lack of gender affirming therapy on gender identity and sexual orientation 4.58 4. Lack of specific clinic/department that deals with the gender identity and sexual orientation 4.57 5. Lack of knowledgeable health care professional and expert in trans-specific health care services 4.43 6. Lack of hormone replacement therapy 4.35 7. Lack of sensitive and friendly mental health professional/physician and experts 4.20 1=Strongly Disagree 2= Disagree 3= Neutral 4= Agree 5= Strongly Agree 175. A specific experience shared by a trans woman was that she had undergone a breast augmentation procedure in Thailand and afterward had experienced complications due to the procedure. She failed to obtain advice on her complications even after seeing 5 doctors in Malaysia, she was forced to seek treatment in Thailand. Hormone replacement therapy 176. Hormone replacement therapy is a pivotal health procedure for transgender persons which could induce feminising or masculinising changes121 to the body such as the body shape and body hair. It is essential for a healthcare professional to prescribe appropriate hormones and medication for transgender persons who fit the criteria. One should bear in mind that in any medication, there are side effects. However, the side effects will be manageable if the person takes the medication according to the healthcare professional’s advice and attend follow up sessions. 177. From the research, 61 respondents shared that they were currently on hormone replacement therapy, 25 respondents were stopped from hormone replacement therapy due to the following reasons: i. ii. To avoid side effects of taking hormone. Doctor had advised to stop the hormone replacement therapy due to health concerns. 121 7th version of the Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender. P. 33 Report On Transgender Persons In KL And Selangor | 77