The Karnataka government has announced plans to introduce what it describes as India's first dedicated Women's Health Policy, with a major focus on menopause and mid-life health. As part of the initiative, the state will launch 'Ruthuthare', a comprehensive awareness programme aimed at improving understanding of menopause, promoting early identification of symptoms and ensuring women have better access to healthcare and support services.

Speaking to NDTV, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said menopause remains one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare despite affecting millions of women between the ages of 40 and 60. He said the proposed Women's Health Policy would include a separate monitoring mechanism and an expert advisory committee comprising medical and social sector specialists. According to the minister, the initiative is intended to bridge a significant gap in women's healthcare by recognising menopause as an important public health issue.

Under the programme, the Health Department will conduct a statewide awareness campaign highlighting the importance of nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep, healthy lifestyle choices and self-care during menopause. The campaign will also encourage families, particularly husbands, to better understand the physical, emotional and psychological changes women may experience during this phase. Actor Ramya has been appointed as the ambassador for the initiative to promote open conversations about menopause and encourage women to seek timely support.

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ASHA workers will play a key role in implementing the programme across Karnataka. They will receive specialised training to identify menopause-related symptoms during routine household visits using a standardised checklist. The government will first train master trainers at the state level, followed by district and taluk officials before extending the training to ASHA workers statewide. Initially, the programme will focus on awareness, preventive care, household surveys and lifestyle interventions, while women requiring additional medical attention will be referred for specialised treatment.

According to the state government, Karnataka has nearly 42 lakh women in the 40-60 age group, with an estimated 10 to 15 per cent likely to require medical intervention beyond lifestyle changes. As part of its long-term plan, the government intends to establish dedicated Mid-Life Women Clinics in every district and taluk to provide counselling, specialised consultations and treatment for menopause-related conditions. It is also exploring the procurement of DEXA scan machines for bone health assessments and plans to commission research into why Indian women often experience menopause at a younger age than women in several other countries. The government is also considering recommending menopause awareness programmes in workplaces and may urge the Centre to adopt similar measures nationwide.

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