'Man' who gave birth in Matara hospital says he doesn't want his baby
Crowds gathered at the Matara General Hospital as the news of a 25-year-old man giving birth to a child spread like wild fire this week.
The person who was born a woman had undergone gender reassignment surgery. However he was known to most as a three- wheeler driver in Dondra town in Matara. He had a girlfriend too.
He was initially admitted to a male ward at the Matara General Hospital with a severe stomach ache, and was t r a n s f e r re d to the maternity ward when doctors suspected labour pains. In the ward as he had to wear maternity clothing many were the curious stares that greeted him due to his beard and male features.
Matara Hospital director Dr Malkanthi Mediwaka told the Sunday Times that the man gave birth to a healthy baby boy and that initially doctors were surprised how the child was conceived despite the parent having gone through gender reassignment procedures.
She said the patient had made a written request not to divulge any details of his identity and whereabouts.
“The man who was also surprised by his delivery, is refusing to accept the baby boy as his child. Due to his inability to breast feed, the baby is given infant formula by nursing staff at the maternity ward of the hospital,” she said. The Director of the hospital said both the person and the baby are healthy.
Hospital authorities are seeking legal assistance following the request by the person who delivered the baby, to look for possible adoption.
The Sunday Times that the person had joined the Air Force as a female staffer and was actively i nvo l ved i n spor t s activ i t i e s. After she experienced changes in her h o r mones, she had resigned and worked as a three-wheel driver.
Air Force Spokesman Gihan Seneviratne said he was not in a position to confirm this.
The female staffer it is learnt had sought the assistance of LGBT rights groups for gender reassignment surgery in India. However, she had retained her ovaries not realising her ability to bear a child and has admitted to bisexual affairs.
The Human Rights Commission had visited the hospital, but was not allowed to talk to the new parent on their request.
On the instruction of Matara Senior Superintendent of Police Anil Priyantha, a team of police officers headed by ASP Susil Wijeguwardena, Matara Head Quarters Chief Inspector Dhammika Amarasena and Women and Child’s Bureau Officer- in- Charge Inspector of Police Waruni Kesala conducted the investigation.