Mumbai: Across Maharashtra, dedicated menopause OPDs served 30,000 women since January; of these, 82 cases involving complications were referred to specialist hospitals for further intervention. In Mumbai, the initiative is picking up pace across 25 BMC-run maternity homes, where 408 women were examined so far.These centres provide both counselling and medical services. Executive Health Officer Dr Daksha Shah noted that the programme follows the directives from the state health department. “We were already providing counselling services, but the process is now more organised,” she said.Dr Shah added that Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) were instructed to refer menopausal women to their nearest maternity home. At the only BMC-run maternity home in Kalbadevi, staff told TOI that approximately 10 women sought consultation in the last month.Suryakant Wagal Maternity Hospital officials said that, so far, those examined were women who visited for other ailments before being redirected to the menopause OPD, which operates every Wednesday. “In cases requiring advanced treatment, we refer patients to a tertiary centre,” an official stated.Dr Nikhil Datar, a city-based gynaecologist, explained that medical intervention, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), may be necessary for certain patients. “Such therapies are symptom-based. But a major focus of such initiatives is counselling and helping women cope with this significant life transition.”Minister of State (Public Health) Meghna Bordekar said, “These menopause clinics have been established to ensure women receive proper medical guidance, treatment, and dignity.” The initiative would be further expanded and ASHAs would be involved, she added.
