Govt to tackle infertility among woman under new health policy

Government today said it is "alarmed" by the rise in conditions causing infertility among women, specially those living in urban areas, and the new national health policy will address this reproductive illness.

Reducing maternal mortality, improving nutritional levels of poor women and reinforcing mother-and-child development programmes are areas of prime focus under the new scheme, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said during a function here.

The new national health policy would address reproductive health, anaemia and numerous other non-communicable diseases which have their origin in lifestyle problems, he said.

"As a medical man, I am depressed by this new trend as reported to me by many reputed obstetricians and gynaecologists. I feel we should react with speed and caution," Vardhan said.
 

Comparing a woman's body to a "temple," the Minister said that building a new generation of healthy women will have a salutary effect on family, society and the country because women multitask as professionals in their chosen fields, mothers, teachers and "custodians of collective values".

Noting that substance abuse, alcoholism and smoking are on the rise among young women, Vardhan said National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, recently opened an exclusive women's ward for victims of drug abuse and alcoholism.

He said it was an ominous signal and urged social groups to aid the government in combating this challenge.

"We are concerned by the rising challenge of modern lifestyles marked by work stress on the one hand and bad eating, drinking and sleeping habits on the other," he said.