Law aims to expand access for the LGBTI+ community to health services Raphael Renter/Unsplash Rio Grande do Norte now has a State Comprehensive Health Policy aimed at the LGBTI+ population. The measure was published in the Official State Gazette on Friday (10). The new law establishes guidelines to expand this population's access to Unified Health System (SUS) services, combat institutional discrimination and reduce inequalities in care. According to the text, the policy's main objective is to "promote the comprehensive health of the LGBTI population, eliminating discrimination and institutional prejudice and contributing to the reduction of inequalities". ? Click here to follow the g1 RN channel on WhatsApp The State Comprehensive Health Plan for the LGBTI+ Population must define goals, actions and mechanisms for monitoring public policy. The legislation also determines the creation of a Steering Committee, composed of representatives from the state government and civil society, to monitor the implementation of actions. Another foreseen point is the guarantee of respect for the social name and gender identity in SUS services, including medical records, forms and calls to health units. Service and training The law also establishes a series of specific objectives for the public health network, such as: expanding access for the LGBTI population to SUS services; qualify health professionals for care without discrimination; strengthen mental health and suicide prevention actions; expand the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); guarantee sexual and reproductive rights; strengthen outpatient clinics aimed at serving trans and transvestite people; guarantee access to the transsexualization process through the SUS. The legislation also provides for specific actions for the prevention and treatment of different types of cancer, in addition to policies aimed at assisting adolescents, adults and elderly people from the LGBTI+ population. Although it is already in force, the policy still depends on regulation by the Executive Branch to define how the measures will be implemented in practice. The law also determines that the policy be incorporated into State planning, including the Multi-Year Plan (PPA), and provides that actions be developed in partnership with municipalities and educational institutions.