Govt to Add Two Infertility Clinics Annually to Expand Subfertility Access for Lower-Income Couples

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) plans to establish at least two new infertility clinics nationwide each year to expand access to affordable, quality subfertility services for lower-income couples.

Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying informed the Dewan Negara today that the annual expansion initiative specifically seeks to assist married couples from B40 and lower-income groups seeking fertility assistance.

Currently, fertility treatment services under the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) are made available through four primary zonal clinics located in Penang (Northern Zone), Kuala Lumpur (Central Zone), Johor Bahru (Southern Zone), and Kuching (East Malaysia Zone).

Elaborating on healthcare coverage in Sabah, Lim stated that consultation and counselling services are provided through three LPPKN Nur Sejahtera Clinics in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau.

She added that under a public-private partnership framework, eligible couples in Sabah can receive intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures through the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BUAI) Programme at appointed private medical facilities.

“In addition, through the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BUAI) Programme, eligible couples in Sabah can receive intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment at appointed private fertility facilities through a public-private partnership approach,” Lim said in reply to a query from Senator Datuk Nelson W Angang.

Lim detailed that the BUAI Programme combines two main pillars: direct financial subsidies covering medical fees and procedures, alongside educational advocacy initiatives to improve public awareness regarding reproductive health.

Highlighting the outcome of the program in Sabah since its launch in 2025, Lim revealed that 2,641 couples have benefited from treatment subsidies and advocacy sessions, significantly surpassing the government’s original target of 1,700 couples.

-NMT