KUALA LUMPUR: About 47,000 couples are expected to benefit from a fertility programme under the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) this year.
The Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), which features the tagline “The Earlier, The Better”, was initiated last year to provide financing to eligible couples so they could undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment for up to two cycles.
“If there is a baby, we will announce it. This is to give information to others so that they have the opportunity to choose,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
“We are constantly creating awareness about all the initiatives under the LPPKN such as IVF (In vitro fertilisation), IUI and IVM (in vitro maturation),” she told reporters during the national Mothers Day celebration yesterday.
The celebration, themed “Seteguh Kasih Ibu” (As Strong As a Mother’s Love), was officiated by Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
Tuanku Zara conferred a Special Inspiration Mother Award to ASP Nurul Zaanizila Mohd Zain from Klang, who gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins, who are now six years old.
ASP Nurul Zaanizila, 44, got pregnant after a 12-year wait.
“I am grateful for the award because I didn’t expect it,” she said.
“The reason I shared my story is to encourage everyone to have an open mind and be positive, God willing, we will achieve success.”
She recounted how she went for treatment in 2019 at LPPKN Subfertility Clinic.
“The journey has been good,” she said, adding that her husband ASP Mohd Azren Isa, 44, had encouraged her to go to LPPKN.
ASP Mohd Azren commended LPPKN for their consideration and sensitivity in dealing with the patients.
“During the consultation, they made us aware of all the risks that we could face. Yet, they continued to provide encouragement to us,” he said.
Earlier in her speech, Nancy said the LPPKN has helped over 373,000 subfertility cases with 6,513 successful pregnancies through its comprehensive fertility services so far.
These services, she said, were provided at affordable prices.
“Each story brings hope; a story of tears could bring joy,” she said.
She also said the National Subfertility Registry Data would be developed in accordance with international standards starting this year.
It is an important element in supporting the establishment of the National Subfertility Centre in Shah Alam, which will be operational in 2030.
“This National Subfertility Registry Data will later strengthen the government’s efforts in planning, monitoring and improving the quality of fertility services in a more integrated and effective manner,” she said.
Also present at the event were the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying, ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff, as well as LPPKN chairman Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and director-general Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah.
