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The Karnataka government is preparing to introduce a comprehensive women's health policy, 'Ruthu Thare', with a special focus on menstrual health, perimenopause and menopause, Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader announced at a meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, August 4.
Speaking at an event titled ‘Healthy Menopause, Healthy Women, Healthy Families’, the Minister said that Karnataka's existing health policy does not adequately address women's health concerns. He said the proposed policy would be the first of its kind in India, focusing on creating awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and improving access to treatment for menopause-related health issues.
Actor and former MP Ramya (Divya Spandana) has been named the campaign's brand ambassador. In a post on X, she said Karnataka is set to become the first state in the country to integrate menopause into its public health system. "Indian women reach menopause at around 46 years of age, nearly five years earlier than the global average of 51. Most go through it without ever being told what is happening to them," she wrote.
The proposed policy includes public awareness campaigns on perimenopause and menopause, the introduction of a dedicated menopause screening programme, district-level breast and bone health screening, nutrition and lifestyle counselling, and the establishment of midlife women's health clinics across the state.
The government has constituted a committee to prepare the policy guidelines, headed by consultant and infertility specialist Dr Jyotsna Mirlay.
As part of the initiative, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) will be trained over the next six months to conduct door-to-door visits to collect data on women's health and educate women about perimenopause, post-menopause, nutrition, lifestyle changes and self-care.
Explaining the need for such a policy, Dr Mirlay said, "With women attaining menopause early and the increasing instances of surgical menopause, it is important to focus on women's health before and after menopause."
This story was written by a student interning with TNM.
