Bengaluru: The state govt has ordered a three-month pilot of its midlife women’s health and menopause programme, Ruthu Taare, in Dakshina Kannada district, offering dedicated clinics and comprehensive screening for women aged 35 and above.The programme will cover perimenopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal women, addressing health concerns that often go undiagnosed or are dismissed as part of ageing. Services will include screening for non-communicable diseases and cancers, mental health assessments, nutrition counselling and referrals. “Women’s health does not end with motherhood, and menopause should never be a journey women are expected to endure in silence,” health minister UT Khader said.As per the health department commissionerate’s Nov 12 order, dedicated clinic sessions will be held every Wednesday at primary health centres, taluk hospitals and district hospitals. Designated medical colleges may hold Saturday clinics, subject to feasibility and personnel availability. Screening will cover hypertension, diabetes, obesity, other cardiometabolic risk factors, and breast and cervical cancers. A midlife health card will record screening results, clinical assessments, investigations, referrals and follow-up.A green-yellow-red risk classification system will identify women needing different levels of mental health support, with links to existing services, including Gruha Arogya.Nutrition counselling will cover balanced diets, adequate protein and calcium intake, locally available nutritious food, bone health, osteoporosis prevention and healthy weight management.District health authorities must map healthcare facilities, identify participating centres and assess infrastructure, personnel and specialist referral services. ASHAs, ASHA mentors, community health officers, medical officers and nursing staff will be trained.The district health officer will submit monthly progress reports. After three months, the pilot will be evaluated on screening coverage, referral completion, service availability, operational feasibility and resource requirements. Officials said findings would inform proposals to refine the programme and expand it across Karnataka in phases.Karnataka is also developing a dedicated women’s health policy, initially focusing on menopause, and plans a one-year menopause fellowship to create a specialist workforce.Actress and former MP Ramya, Ruthu Taare’s ambassador, welcomed the initiative on X, saying, “Menopause is finally on the public health map.”
