New health policy to address reproductive illness

The new national health policy being brought out by the government will address the rising incidents of reproductive illnesses in young urban women, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said Thursday.

The central government is alarmed by reports of Polycystic Ovarian Disease, Endometriosis and Fibroids -- condition associated with infertility, which is increasingly affecting women even in their teens, the health minister said.

"As a medical man, I am depressed by this new trend as reported to me by obstetricians and gynaecologists. I feel we should react fast but with caution," he said at the golden jubilee celebrations of Laxmibai College here.

Harsh Vardhan said he would soon form a committee to suggest measures for improving the health of Indian women. "Its outcome would be part of the new national health policy."

"A woman's body is a temple, extremely important from the perspective of a nation's future. Building a new generation of healthy women has a salutary effect on family, society and nation because each woman multitasks as professional in her field, mother and teacher of her children, and, above all, custodian of collective values," he said.

The minister said reducing maternal mortality rate, improving nutritional level of women from less-privileged backgrounds and reinforcing mother-and-child development programmes are areas of prime focus for his government.

Observing that substance abuse, alcoholism and smoking are on the rise among young women, Harsh Vardhan said it was an ominous signal for the nation and urged social groups to aid the government in combating this challenge.

He pointed out that Yoga, which is India's gift to the world, is the best way to keep in shape as it also gives mental peace and the power to focus.