Nancy: The government is urging married couples to overcome any feelings of embarrassment about seeking fertility treatment, as such hesitation could hinder their chances of conceiving. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said fertility issues are often associated with women, but men can also face challenges which contribute to difficulties in conceiving.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy emphasized that the inability to conceive is often unfairly attributed solely to women, while men can also encounter fertility problems. Nancy encourages the community to seek treatment to improve fertility levels, ultimately helping to boost the nation’s birth rate. She addressed reporters after launching the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BuAI) initiative at the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) Family Centre.
Nancy announced that under Budget 2025, the government has allocated RM6 million to fund two cycles of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) fertility treatment for 1,300 eligible couples, free of charge, along with an infertility advocacy campaign. She expressed hope that the fertility treatment facilities and subsidies provided under BuAI will help more couples fulfill their dream of starting a family.
The initiative aims to improve accessibility and convenience for couples with a household income of less than RM10,000, who have never received financial assistance for fertility treatment from any agency. Nancy highlighted the first recorded pregnancy under BuAI on February 18, underscoring its effectiveness in supporting couples struggling with infertility.
In a separate matter, Nancy urged parents to remain vigilant and advise their children against buying or consuming certain snacks, particularly chewy or gummy candies. She noted that apart from parents, teachers also play a crucial role in ensuring children avoid foods that could pose a danger to them.
Last Thursday, a 10-year-old boy, Mohammad Fahmi Hafiz Mohammad Fakhruddin, who had been in a critical condition after allegedly choking on gummy candies, passed away while receiving treatment at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Penang Hospital. The Year Four student at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Dua, Butterworth, is believed to have bought the candies before attending his Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA) class.