For the first time, Nova Scotia Health has a program in place providing gender-affirming chest masculinization and feminization surgeries.

The health authority did not previously have a dedicated program for these kinds of procedures — commonly referred to as top surgery — with surgeons who have a mandate to provide the care, according to Nova Scotia Health.

Two surgeons specifically trained in top surgery have been recruited for the program, which began when the first surgeon came on board in Ju…