Share

Share this

Share on Facebook Share on Facebook Tweet Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on WhatsApp

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

On March 23, the government of Juan Orlando Hernández decreed a total curfew throughout Honduras to contain the spread of the virus that has gripped the entire region . As of May 11, there were 1,177 cases and 107 deaths.

Since the curfew and the closure of markets and businesses went into effect, protests have been taking place in Tegucigalpa due to food shortages. Hernández ordered the military into the streets to suppress the demonstrations. It is estimated that three people were injured during the dispersal.

The living conditions of transgender women in Honduras have reached unsustainable levels, according to the Trans Feminist Association (AFET). Many of them survive through sex work on the streets of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, the largest cities in the Central American country.

According to official figures, the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus has risen to 382 active cases and 23 deaths. On March 23, the government of Juan Orlando Hernández decreed a total curfew throughout Honduras to contain the spread of the virus, which has alarmed countries around the world. The measure has been extended until April 19.

“We have been significantly affected by the pandemic that has broken out in our territory, because many of our colleagues who are sex workers, unable to work, have no income and are suffering financially. The same is true for our colleagues who own their own businesses,” Allyson Hernández, deputy director of the Trans Feminist Association-AFET, told Presentes.

Since the curfew went into effect and markets and businesses closed, protests have erupted in Tegucigalpa due to food shortages. Hernández ordered the military into the streets to suppress the demonstrations. It is estimated that three people were injured during the eviction.

“As an organization, we have shown solidarity by providing food and supplies. We have asked for donations from anyone who wishes to contribute so we can deliver them to these colleagues who lack a stable income and are experiencing hardship right now,” the activist stated.

No Antiretroviral Therapy for People with HIV:

According to complaints received by Trans-AFET, the health system is not providing antiretroviral medications to people with HIV. Adding to the shortage is the mobility restriction in place until April 19, the day the quarantine period is expected to end.

“With this health crisis, some of my colleagues need their antiretroviral medications and can’t access them. Some are running out of medication,” Hernández stated.

According to official information from the Ministry of Health of the Central American country, they invest approximately 80 million lempiras in antiretroviral therapy, which covers 60 percent of patients. It is estimated that as of September 2019, some 37,000 people were HIV-positive.

“It’s deplorable what we are going through. There are organizations that are helping by delivering medications door-to-door, but they can’t keep up because the population is so large. Some of my colleagues only have enough medication for two more days,” she emphasized.

Trans-AFET regrets the lack of progress in healthcare access for the trans population in Honduras. They lament the absence of an endocrinology unit within the system to address the needs of the trans community.

“It is regrettable that we do not have a document recognizing our legal, economic, political, and cultural rights as individuals. The lack of a gender identity law limits our access to quality healthcare,” emphasized Allyson Hernández.

“It’s deplorable what we’re going through. There are organizations supporting us by delivering medications door-to-door, but they can’t keep up because there are so many people in need. Some of our colleagues only have enough medication for two more days,” she emphasized.

Trans-AFET laments the lack of progress in healthcare access for the trans population in Honduras. They regret that the system doesn’t have an endocrinology unit to address the needs of the trans community.

“It’s deplorable not to have a document that recognizes our legal, economic, political, and cultural rights as individuals. The lack of a gender identity law limits our access to quality healthcare,” Allyson Hernández stressed.