Bengaluru, 5 Aug

The Karnataka government will introducing a special policy called 'Ruthutaare', that will primarily focus on menopause-related issues among women, said Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader.

Ruthutaare will be the first of its kind in the country, he added.

Film actress and former MP Ramya (Divya Spandana) had been appointed as the brand ambassador.

As the first step, with the help of ASHA workers, house-to-house survey will be conducted to collect data regarding those in perimenopause and menopause stages, and basic information will be shared with them regarding health, nutrition, exercise, sleep and lifestyle, Khader said on Tuesday. ASHA worker will be trained before the house-to-house survey.

Subsequently, the proposal would be discussed with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for implementation across the country, he said.

The programme will focus on creating awareness about perimenopause –the transitional phase before menopause– and menopause itself, while integrating screening and counselling into the state’s existing public health infrastructure, according to the proposal.

The Department also plans to establish dedicated women’s midlife health clinics to provide specialised care for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

“We have a health policy, not only in the State but across the country. (But) there is no separate women health policy. Because all health programmes concerning women come under the common health policy, the priority that given to women was reduced," Khader said.

He noted that women face of lot of mental and health issues during menopause and this initiative is to help them in managing their lifestyle during this period

"This will focus on preventive measures without taking medication. To assist and share information to the Health Department in framing this policy, which is the first of its kind in the country, we are constituing a policy committee headed by Dr Jyotsna Mirlay (consultant, infertility specialist) and officials," he said.