The Karnataka government has started a three-month pilot programme in Dakshina Kannada district.
It is called Ruthu Taare, and it offers health care to women aged 35 and above.
The programme covers three stages of a woman's life. These are perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Perimenopause is the time before menopause, when the body begins to change.
Menopause is the stage when a woman's periods have stopped, and post-menopause is the time after that.
Health Minister UT Khader announced the programme on Thursday, 12 November.
Khader named Divya Spandana, a Kannada film star and former MP, as the brand ambassador.
The aim is to raise awareness among women across the state.
Key points
- The three-month pilot runs in Dakshina Kannada district and covers women aged 35 and above.
- It covers perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, which are stages of midlife health.
- Symptoms like hot flashes and joint pain will be treated as health concerns, not just ageing.
- The government plans to expand the programme across Karnataka after the pilot.
What services will women get under the pilot?
The programme will have dedicated clinics at primary health centres (PHCs), taluka hospitals, district hospitals and designated medical colleges.
Women can get screening for hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
Screening for breast and cervical cancer is also part of the programme.
The pilot will also issue a Mid-Life Health Card and use trained ASHA workers.
Why is the government treating menopause as a health issue?
Khader said menopause should not be seen as something women must simply endure in silence.
Sleepless nights, hot flashes, joint pain, weak bones, anxiety and emotional changes are real health concerns, Khader said.
These symptoms need proper diagnosis and medical care, not dismissal as a normal part of ageing.
So why does this matter for women across the state?
It means they can seek care for these changes in public health facilities.
When will the clinics open, and what happens next?
Dedicated clinic sessions will be held every Wednesday at PHCs, taluka hospitals and district hospitals.
Medical colleges will hold sessions on Saturdays, depending on staff availability.
Under the pilot, the district Health and Family Welfare Officer will map existing facilities.
The officer will also assess infrastructure and staff, and prepare a district-level plan.
Khader said the government will work towards expanding the programme across Karnataka after the pilot.
- 1Map existing facilitiesThe district Health and Family Welfare Officer maps the facilities that already exist.
- 2Assess infrastructure and staffThe officer checks the infrastructure and the staff available at these facilities.
- 3Prepare a district-level planBased on this assessment, the officer prepares a plan for the district.
- 4Expand across KarnatakaAfter the pilot, the government will work towards expanding the programme statewide.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
