LPPKN Launches Infertility Counselling Module for Primary Care Practitioners

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 – The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), in collaboration with science and technology company MERCK Malaysia, has launched a comprehensive training module to train primary healthcare practitioners in handling fertility and subfertility issues nationwide.

Speaking after opening the National Reproductive Health Symposium 2026 on Tuesday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stated that the Infertility Counselling Module for Primary Care bridges clinical care with crucial psychological support.

“Experts from various fields have come together, but clinical expertise alone is not enough without the skills to address patients’ emotional needs. Many couples face emotional stress and depression, and this is where counselling support needs to be strengthened through the module,” Nancy said.

She emphasized that the module streamlines referral pathways between primary care providers, private medical centers, and corporate sectors, facilitating earlier clinical interventions and treatment options.

Addressing public misconceptions, Nancy highlighted that fertility challenges should not be viewed solely as a women’s health issue. She cited a World Health Organisation (WHO) study of 8,500 couples showing that male factors contributed wholly or partially to 45.1 per cent of infertility cases. Furthermore, LPPKN’s subfertility data revealed that 60 per cent of semen analyses conducted between 2010 and 2019 yielded abnormal results.

Nancy urged couples experiencing difficulties conceiving to seek medical assessments early, noting that LPPKN data shows 44.2 per cent of couples wait more than five years before seeking professional medical help.

Regarding financial assistance under the upcoming Budget 2027, the minister clarified that funding for introductory fertility treatments—such as intrauterine insemination (IUI)—remains continuously available through LPPKN’s annual ministry allocations.

–NMT