Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 6: In a first, Karnataka is planning what could become India’s first dedicated women’s health policy! Notably, menopause is emerging as one of its key focus areas. The initiative aims to improve awareness and strengthen healthcare support. It also seeks to encourage women to seek timely medical guidance during a stage of life that has long remained overlooked.
According to reports, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said the proposed policy will create a comprehensive framework focused exclusively on women’s health. It will include a dedicated monitoring mechanism and an advisory committee comprising experts from the medical and social sectors.
As the first step, the state plans to launch an awareness programme called ‘Ruthuthare.’ The campaign aims to educate women about menopause, nutrition, exercise, sleep, self-care and lifestyle changes. It will also encourage families to better understand the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause.
The programme will be implemented through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers). They will receive specialised training to identify women experiencing menopause related symptoms during routine household visits. Women requiring medical attention will be referred to healthcare facilities for further evaluation and treatment.
Further, reports also indicate that Karnataka has nearly 42 lakh women between the ages of 40 and 60. While most are expected to manage menopause through counselling and lifestyle modifications, officials estimate that around 10 to 15 per cent may require additional medical care.
The government is also considering setting up dedicated Mid-Life Women Clinics across districts and taluks. These centres will offer counselling, specialist consultations and treatment. Future plans include introducing DEXA scan facilities to monitor bone health. The state also wants to expand menopause awareness programmes to workplaces such as IT companies and garment factories.
