First N.S. gender-affirming top surgery program now in place with 2 dedicated surgeons

Nova Scotia Health has recently launched a groundbreaking program that offers gender-affirming chest masculinization and feminization surgeries for the first time. Prior to this initiative, the health authority did not have a dedicated program for these procedures, commonly known as top surgery, with surgeons specifically trained to provide this type of care.

The program welcomed two surgeons with expertise in top surgery, with the first surgeon joining in July 2023 and Dr. Nadim Joukhadar joining in September. Dr. Joukhadar, who is a member of the 2SLBGTQ+ community himself, expressed his desire to give back to the LGBTQ+ community through his work. Having received specialty training and worked in Toronto, he found it gratifying to be able to provide care to individuals in the 2SLGBTQ+ community in his hometown of Halifax.

The need for this program became apparent two years ago when one of the only surgeons in the province offering top surgeries announced they would no longer accept new patients. This left a significant gap in care, according to Veronica Merryfield, founder of the Cape Breton Transgender Network. Some patients were required to travel to Montreal for gender-affirming procedures, incurring upfront costs that were reimbursed by the province later on. However, many individuals found it challenging to cover these costs upfront, creating a barrier to accessing care.

Merryfield emphasized the importance of having surgeons in Nova Scotia to eliminate this financial barrier for individuals seeking gender-affirming surgeries. While she commended the new top surgery program, she also advocated for the expansion of gender-affirming procedures offered in the province. For instance, treatments like voice feminizing surgery, not currently covered in Nova Scotia, are accessible in the Yukon. Merryfield highlighted that gender-affirming surgeries are life-saving for trans and non-binary individuals, emphasizing that this type of healthcare is not exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

In conclusion, the introduction of the gender-affirming chest masculinization and feminization surgeries program by Nova Scotia Health marks a significant step towards providing inclusive and accessible healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. By addressing the gaps in care and expanding the range of gender-affirming procedures offered, the program aims to improve the quality of life and well-being of individuals seeking these essential services.