IPOH: The Perak government has announced a significant initiative, introducing a RM600,000 subsidy to support 150 married couples in undergoing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. This move aims to assist couples striving to have children.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the subsidy is part of the Permata Perak programme and allocates RM4,000 to each eligible couple seeking IVF treatment. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad emphasized the multifaceted challenge of fertility issues, highlighting the emotional and psychological pressures faced by affected couples. “This programme not only offers fertility treatment but also gives hope to couples who are having difficulty conceiving,” he stated during the inauguration of the Metro IVF Fertility Treatment Specialist Centre and the launch of Perak’s Impian Dua Garis Support Group programme.

The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Metro Healthcare Berhad founder and chairman Dr Tee Swi Peng, alongside Metro IVF Ipoh obstetrics, gynaecology, and fertility specialist Professor Dr V. Jaya Balan. Saarani remarked that the inclusion of Metro IVF Ipoh in a network of 27 IVF centres across Malaysia, six of which are owned by the company, enhances access to fertility treatments for the people of Perak.

Eligibility for the subsidy requires couples to be Malaysian citizens residing in Perak, married, and diagnosed with infertility, with a recommendation for IVF treatment. Additionally, they must meet medical criteria as evaluated by Metro IVF experts. The IVF method is noted for potentially increasing the success rate up to 40 to 50 percent, contingent on the couple’s health conditions and individual factors. For couples aged 25 to 45, with appropriate treatment and expert guidance, the effectiveness rate of IVF can reach between 75 to 90 percent.