By Selangor Journal Team
KLANG, Aug 31 — The state government is intensifying awareness campaigns and developing programmes to improve fertility rates among residents in the state.
State executive councillor for public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin said her committee will collaborate with state executive councillor for women empowerment Anfaal Saari to address this issue, which could potentially impact the development of the state and country.
"The issue concerning the fertility rate of the state's population is at a worrying level. We need to ensure that fertility levels remain healthy.
“If the fertility rate is moderate, it is still considered okay, but a sudden decline like this will pose challenges for the development of the state and country,” he said during a programme to celebrate babies born on the 67th National Day at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital here today.
Previously, Anfaal had said that the fertility rates in Selangor and three other states — Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Sabah — were increasingly worrying.
According to data from the Statistics Department, the fertility rate in Selangor stands at 1.6 children per woman, while the figure is 1.3 in Sabah and 1.2 in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
In response to this, Anfaal had said that the state is planning to introduce several aid schemes to increase the fertility rate, particularly as the country has recorded a declining trend since 2010.
On July 30, the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) announced the establishment of the country's first National Subfertility Centre in Section 17, Shah Alam, offering fertility treatments at 20 per cent lower than market prices.
LPPKN deputy chairperson Juwairiya Zulkifli said the initiative aims to assist couples facing difficulties in conceiving, given that treatment costs can reach up to RM30,000.
