Tamil Nadu Unveils First-Ever Peri-Menopausal Care Policy, Focus on Women's Health
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of significant healthcare measures prioritising women and children, with a landmark decision to formulate a dedicated Peri-Menopausal Care Policy. Health Minister K.G. Arunraj made the announcements on Monday, outlining initiatives ranging from early screening for peri-menopausal health issues to advanced newborn care and genetic screening.
In what is being described as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the State, the Peri-Menopausal Care Policy will focus on the early identification of physical and mental health needs of women in the peri-menopausal age group — typically those transitioning into menopause. The policy will include symptomatic assessment, basic tests, counselling, and referrals for treatment at district headquarters hospitals and government medical college hospitals. Under this framework, camps will be conducted on a specific day every week at all primary health centres (PHCs) and urban PHCs across the State.
Another major announcement is the introduction of Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure (BP) monitors for pregnant women. These devices will track blood pressure in real time and transmit data instantly, enabling timely medical intervention. In the first phase, the monitors will be provided to nearly 10,000 pregnant women across 14 districts, including Kallakurichi, Nilgiris, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, and Namakkal.
Addressing childhood health, the government will roll out the 'Irumbu Kanmani' School Anaemia Prevention Programme at a cost of ₹6.37 crore. Under this scheme, haemoglobin estimation will be conducted for nearly 16.5 lakh adolescents studying in classes VI, IX, and XI in government and government-aided schools, followed by appropriate treatment and monitoring.
In a significant step for newborn care, the health department will launch screening for rare genetic diseases in newborns. Approximately 4.5 lakh babies delivered in all government hospitals will be screened for seven conditions, including congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosemia, and biotinidase deficiency, using a hub-and-spoke model.
The government also plans to set up Neo Genesis Units for extremely low birth weight babies at an estimated cost of ₹16.81 crore. These units, designed to replicate an intrauterine or womb-like environment, will be established at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Chennai and at government medical college hospitals in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Chengalpattu, and Tiruchi.
An Autism Early Detection Programme will be launched to screen children for autism spectrum disorder. To support this, 12,456 village health nurses and 5,000 doctors will be trained. Additionally, a Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme will be introduced in schools, and a School Orthodontic Treatment programme will be rolled out in five districts — Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi, and Virudhunagar — covering 1,500 children at a cost of ₹1.80 crore.
Other measures include establishing newborn hearing screening facilities with Otoacoustic Emission and soundproof rooms, increasing monthly financial assistance for children affected by or living with HIV/AIDS, and allocating an additional ₹1.21 crore for this purpose. The government will also provide transport ventilators for newborns, modern equipment for human milk banks, and strengthen mother and newborn care units. Pregnant women with moderate anaemia and adolescent girls with severe anaemia will receive ferric carboxy maltose injections as part of the expanded maternal and child healthcare infrastructure.
