The Karnataka government has launched a three-month pilot of ‘Ruthu Taare’, a comprehensive mid-life women’s health and menopause care programme, in Dakshina Kannada district. Announced by Health Minister U T Khader on November 12, 2026, the initiative will provide healthcare services to women aged 35 and above, covering perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. The programme will use existing public healthcare infrastructure, including primary health centres (PHCs), Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, taluk hospitals, the district hospital and designated medical colleges.
Services will include screening for diabetes, hypertension, obesity and breast and cervical cancers, alongside mental health assessments, nutritional counselling and specialist referrals. Actress and former MP Ramya (Divya Spandana) has been appointed as its brand ambassador to raise awareness about women’s health concerns during mid-life. The government plans to evaluate the pilot before considering its phased expansion across Karnataka.
Dedicated Clinics
Under the programme, dedicated clinic sessions will be organised every Wednesday at PHCs, taluk hospitals and the district hospital. Designated medical colleges will conduct clinics on Saturdays, subject to the availability of healthcare personnel and infrastructure. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will also be included in the district’s healthcare network. The screenings will cover hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors, while breast and cervical cancer screening will follow existing state protocols.
A Mid-Life Health Card will be introduced to maintain individual health records, including screening results, clinical assessments, investigations, referrals and follow-ups. The programme will also address mental health concerns, including anxiety and emotional changes associated with menopause. A Green-Yellow-Red risk classification system will help identify women requiring different levels of mental health support, with referrals connected to existing healthcare services, including Gruha Arogya. Nutritional counselling will focus on balanced diets, adequate protein and calcium intake, locally available nutritious food, bone health, osteoporosis prevention and healthy weight management.
Health Minister U T Khader emphasised the importance of recognising women’s health beyond motherhood, stating, “Women’s health does not end with motherhood, and menopause should never be a journey women are expected to endure in silence.” He added that concerns such as sleeplessness, joint pain, weakening bones, anxiety and emotional changes deserve timely diagnosis and proper medical attention rather than being dismissed as routine ageing.
Three-Month Pilot To Determine Statewide Expansion
According to the Health Department’s November 12 order, district health authorities have been directed to map existing healthcare facilities, identify participating centres and assess the availability of infrastructure, medical personnel and specialist referral services. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), ASHA mentors, community health officers, medical officers and nursing staff will receive training to identify eligible women, facilitate screenings and connect them with appropriate healthcare services.
The programme will also introduce standardised screening checklists, clinical assessment formats, referral protocols and Kannada-language awareness materials to improve public understanding of menopause and mid-life healthcare. A reporting mechanism will track screening coverage, risk classifications, investigations, referrals, treatment and follow-ups. The department will also examine the feasibility of introducing a digital Ruthu Taare registry and an anonymised state-level dashboard. The District Health Officer will submit monthly progress reports, while the three-month pilot will be evaluated on screening coverage, completion of referrals, availability of services, operational feasibility and resource requirements.
The findings will help the government prepare a proposal to refine the programme and expand it across Karnataka in phases. The state is also working towards a dedicated women’s health policy, initially focusing on menopause, and plans to introduce a one-year menopause fellowship to develop a specialised healthcare workforce. Ramya, who has been appointed the programme’s brand ambassador, welcomed the initiative on social media, describing it as a moment when menopause had finally entered the public health conversation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Women’s healthcare must extend beyond pregnancy, childbirth and reproductive health to recognise the physical, emotional and psychological needs of women throughout their lives. Menopause is a natural biological transition, but that should never mean women must silently endure discomfort, anxiety, sleep disturbances or other health concerns without medical support. Initiatives such as Ruthu Taare are important because they bring conversations often restricted to households and private spaces into the public healthcare system.
However, the success of the programme will depend on accessible clinics, trained medical professionals, consistent screenings, affordable treatment and awareness that reaches women in rural as well as urban communities. Families and communities must also move away from treating menopause as a taboo subject and create spaces where women can openly discuss their experiences without embarrassment or judgement. Every woman deserves dignity, empathy and quality healthcare at every stage of life. Do you think dedicated mid-life healthcare programmes like Ruthu Taare should be introduced across all Indian states to make menopause care more accessible?
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