Gov't Targets 30,000 Couples To Benefit From Fertility Treatment Aid

KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The government is targeting 30,000 couples nationwide to benefit from subsidised fertility treatment assistance, aimed at increasing the birth rate which is currently at its lowest level.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the initiative can be applied for under the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BUAI), managed by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

“Through strategic collaboration between LPPKN and selected hospitals, couples facing challenges in conceiving will be assisted, particularly those who meet the eligibility criteria such as for their first childbirth.

“The programme also helps couples undergo fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures and provides advocacy support to address the declining fertility issue,” she said.

She said this when speaking at the Institut Sosial Malaysia (ISM) Executive Talk Programme at the Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam, here today.

She added that the implementation of the BUAI Programme aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening family institutions while supporting the nation’s aspiration to ensure the well-being of the people and population sustainability.

At the same time, Noraini said her ministry has also introduced the Family Education Programme (PEKERTI Smart Start) and the Reproductive and Family Health Education Club (KPTI) to expose university students to reproductive health knowledge and family values.

“Through KPTI, we encourage university students to become volunteers and peer educators who can share knowledge with others.

“Such initiatives are important to strengthen understanding and awareness of the responsibilities of building a family,” she said.

Elaborating further, Noraini said Malaysia is currently experiencing significant demographic transformation due to a declining birth rate and an increase in life expectancy.

She said reproductive health and family policies must remain a core priority for the nation in addressing major challenges involving the health system, social networks and economic resilience.

Earlier, Noraini, accompanied by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) Professor Dr Mohd Sazili Shahibi, officiated the closing ceremony of the ISM Executive Talk Programme, which was attended by nearly 500 participants over three discussion sessions.

According to the Vital Statistics, Malaysia, 2025, released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on  Oct 16, Malaysia recorded the lowest number of live births since 1980, with 414,918 births in 2024, a nine per cent drop from 455,761 in 2023.

-- BERNAMA