The first national subfertility centre in Malaysia is expected to be operational in five years’ time, in Section 17 of Shah Alam in Selangor.
“The RM171mil centre will have the latest technology and facilities as well as experts to address fertility issues,” said National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) deputy chairman Juwairiya Zulkifli.
The budget to establish the centre was approved in the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“We expect the centre to start operations in 2030. It will have a bigger capacity to cater to more couples and help reduce the waiting time at LPPKN clinics.
“It will function like a hospital and offer comprehensive services compared to the current LPPKN subfertility clinics,” said Juwairiya.
The national subfertility centre would offer subsidised fees on services, she said.
“This is part of the government’s initiative to support and assist couples who want to have children and need treatment to achieve it,” she added.
Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the state government would help facilitate LPPKN’s planning permission for the centre’s construction through the Shah Alam City Council.
They were speaking on the sidelines of the Selangor Population Seminar 2025, launched by Anfaal, at Ideal Convention Centre, Shah Alam.
The one-day seminar in conjunction with World Population Day 2025 was organised by LPPKN in collaboration with Selangor government and the state Economic Planning Unit (Upen).
Also present were LPPKN deputy director-general (policy) Hairil Fadzly Md Akir, United Nations Population Fund Malaysia assistant representative Tengku Aira Tengku Razif and Upen (sectoral section) chief assistant director Zuraini Harun.
“The seminar is aimed at raising awareness about population issues and it serves as a platform for discussion among stakeholders,” said Anfaal.
“Through the seminar, LPPKN hopes to strengthen policies and interventions that support family institutions, especially for the younger generation.”
She said Selangor remained the state with the highest population at 7.2 million people or 21.6% of Malaysia’s total population.
“However, the state faces a low total fertility rate of 1.5 children, far below the replacement level of 2.1 children.
“Statistics show a decrease of 7.2% in live births in 2022 compared to 2021,” said the Taman Templer assemblyman.
“The trend of marrying late among the younger generation, especially Generation Z, also contributes to the decrease,” she added.
Anfaal said this year’s seminar theme, “Building a Family Among Generation Z”, focussed on the challenges faced by that generation and the forms of support and interventions that could be provided.
Separately, Juwairiya said the Federal Government has introduced an initiative this year to offer subsidised intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment to qualified couples.
“The initiative funds a maximum of two cycles of IUI treatment for 1,300 eligible couples.
“One cycle costs about RM2,000 and to qualify, couples have to meet criteria like a household income of less than RM10,000,” she said.
