Updated On: 05 Aug 2026
BENGALURU: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said the State government is planning to introduce a dedicated women’s health policy with a special focus on menopause-related health issues.
The proposed policy, to be named ‘Ruthutaare’, is expected to be the first exclusive women’s health policy of its kind in the country.
Khader said women’s health issues are currently addressed under the broader health policy framework, resulting in inadequate attention to their specific needs. The new policy aims to give greater priority to women’s health, particularly during menopause.
He said the initiative would focus on helping women cope with physical and mental health challenges associated with menopause through preventive measures, lifestyle guidance and awareness rather than medication.
The minister said experts had advised that many women experience significant health and psychological issues during menopause, and the proposed policy would help them adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce mental stress.
To assist the Health Department in framing the policy, the government will constitute a committee headed by infertility specialist Dr. Jyotsna Mirlay, along with senior officials. The committee will provide recommendations and technical guidance for preparing the policy framework.
Khader also announced that actor and former MP Ramya has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the initiative to create awareness about women’s and child health programmes and improve public outreach.
As part of the first phase, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will conduct a door-to-door survey to collect data on women in the perimenopausal and menopausal stages. They will also provide basic information on health, lifestyle management and available support services.
The minister said ASHA workers would receive training before the survey begins, and the programme would be implemented in phases across the state.
Khader added that once the policy is finalised, it would be discussed with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the aim of expanding the initiative across the country. He said the state would initially focus on awareness, community-level support and data collection before implementing the comprehensive women’s health policy.
