Maharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce dedicated menopause clinics within government healthcare facilities, marking a landmark step in recognising mid-life women’s health as a public health priority.

The initiative formally acknowledges menopause as a critical life stage that requires specialised medical care, rather than an experience women are expected to endure silently or manage on their own. Health officials have described the move as a long-overdue correction in how women’s healthcare is structured in India.

Designed as one-stop centres, the menopause clinics will offer gynaecological consultations, mental health support, screening for bone density and cardiovascular risks, along with access to appropriate medication and counselling. By bringing physical, emotional, and preventive care under one roof, the programme aims to address the wide-ranging effects menopause can have on a woman’s overall well-being.

Medical experts note that menopause is often linked to conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders—issues that frequently go undiagnosed or untreated due to stigma and lack of awareness. The new clinics seek to bridge this gap by providing structured, accessible, and state-supported care.

Public health authorities have said the initiative helps bring menopause into the mainstream of government healthcare, encouraging open conversations around mid-life women’s health and reducing long-standing social taboos. Officials have also indicated that the model could be replicated across other states, potentially reshaping national approaches to women’s health policy.

The launch reflects a broader shift towards life-cycle-based healthcare, reinforcing the idea that women’s health does not begin and end with fertility or childbirth. By institutionalising menopause care, Maharashtra has set a national precedent—one that recognises dignity, medical support, and visibility for women in all stages of life.

The initiative is being widely welcomed by healthcare professionals and women’s health advocates as a progressive step toward more inclusive and equitable public healthcare in India.

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