Govt to prioritise fertility programmes amid low birth rates in Penang, Sarawak

KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will prioritise fertility programmes and treatment aid to tackle low birth rates, particularly in Sarawak and Penang.

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiatives include assisting couples facing fertility issues and encouraging younger couples to start families.

She said while these efforts are already implemented through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), the ministry intends to sharpen its focus on such programmes next year.

"Sarawak and Penang are among the states that need attention because we want to help boost birth rates," she told reporters after launching the Perantis Pendaya 2.0 initiative.

Nancy added that the assistance includes coverage for treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) conducted under LPPKN.

"We recognise that economic factors influence young couples' decisions to have children, but the government is addressing these issues," she said.

Nancy said the ministry wants to expand programmes that encourage family growth as the country needs population growth.

She said that the ministry has researched fertility rates to identify appropriate strategies to raise birth numbers.

"At present, the growth rate has not reached the levels we hope for, but we are actively working to promote higher birth rates.

"The research highlights specific factors behind the lower rates, and I will share these findings in due course," she said.