Kuala lumpur: 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 announced that 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).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme involves strategic collaboration between LPPKN and selected hospitals to assist couples facing challenges in conceiving, particularly those eligible for their first childbirth. The initiative provides support for fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures and offers advocacy assistance to tackle the declining fertility issue.
Dr Noraini shared these details during her speech at the Institut Sosial Malaysia (ISM) Executive Talk Programme at the Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam. She emphasized that the BUAI Programme is part of the government's commitment to strengthening family institutions and supporting the nation's population sustainability goals.
Additionally, Dr Noraini highlighted her ministry's introduction of the Family Education Programme (PEKERTI Smart Start) and the Reproductive and Family Health Education Club (KPTI) to provide university students with knowledge on reproductive health and family values. Through KPTI, students are encouraged to volunteer and educate peers, enhancing their understanding of family responsibilities.
Dr Noraini further elaborated that Malaysia is experiencing demographic changes with a declining birth rate and increased life expectancy. She stressed the importance of prioritizing reproductive health and family policies to address challenges related to the health system, social networks, and economic resilience.
The event, attended by nearly 500 participants, included the closing ceremony of the ISM Executive Talk Programme, officiated by Dr Noraini and UiTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) Professor Dr Mohd Sazili Shahibi.
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.