The National Subfertility Centre (NSC) aims to slow down the decline in the country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR), amid worries about decreasing average childbirth rates in Malaysia.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri says the centre aims to provide fertility services to at least three times the current number of people each year.
"The NSC is a project under the ministry, in collaboration with the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
"With the establishment of the NSC, more couples experiencing fertility issues can access fertility services at competitive prices, indirectly improving the accessibility of fertility treatments in the country.
"The decline in the TFR can be slowed down, ensuring that Malaysia is better prepared to address the challenges of an ageing population."
The TFR, which is the average number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years (ages 15 to 49), has decreased from 4.9 in 1970 to 2.0 in 2013 and further to 1.6 in 2022, which is a concerning trend.
The 2011 study, "Fertility at the Crossroads: Children Now, Later, or Never" by LPPKN found that rising education costs and current family financial conditions significantly influence married couples' decisions on expanding their family size.
For contemporary young parents, the decision to have children entails being ready to shoulder substantial financial responsibility in the coming years.
Additionally, families in the country struggle to realise their full aspirations regarding the desired number of children.
According to data compiled by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the fertility rate in 2022 is the lowest ever recorded.
However, Malaysia's population is anticipated to grow to 38.1 million people by 2030. Subsequently, this figure is projected to increase to 41.5 million by 2040, with a reduced growth rate of one per cent in 2030 and 0.8 per cent in 2040.
Nancy says the centre will offer fertility services from experts in the field, using the latest techniques.
"The NSC will provide more comprehensive and holistic fertility services, aiming to become a one-stop centre for couples in need of fertility treatment from across the country.
"The fertility services will be provided at competitive and affordable costs, especially for clients from the B40 and M40 groups, who may face constraints in undergoing fertility treatments.
"The centre will also serve as a coordinating hub for National Fertility Data from government and private agencies, ensuring better control and government monitoring of fertility issues in the country."
She says the NSC will also serve as a training centre for medical practitioners to enhance their competence in the field of subfertility, with the goal of producing at least 10 subfertility specialists annually.
"The NSC will also bring together fertility experts from across Malaysia, and attract foreigners seeking fertility services at a world-class facility at competitive prices.
"This, in turn, can contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP) through health tourism."
Nancy says LPPKN fertility facilities can cater to only approximately 6,000 to 7,000 clients per year.
"Fertility treatments at LPPKN facilities are provided at three clinics organised by zones — the fertility clinic in Penang (Northern Zone), Kuala Lumpur (Central Zone) and Johor Baru (Southern Zone).
"Services such as counselling, fertility medication and specialised procedures, like intrauterine insemination, as well as assisted conception technologies, including in-vitro fertilisation and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, are offered at affordable costs compared with private facilities.
"All married couples are eligible for treatment at these clinics."
She says the NSC is set to become a comprehensive centre, providing specialised fertility treatment services to couples in need from across Malaysia.
"This facility will encompass components of fertility services, including administrative, expertise, clinical treatment and diagnostic laboratory sectors. It will house diverse expertise to deliver the best fertility services in the country.
"The construction of the NSC is set to commence in 2024 and will involve preliminary groundwork, including the design planning for the layout of the centre. Construction is expected to be completed by 2029, with full operational capacity anticipated by 2030."
The establishment of the NSC was announced at the recently concluded 2023 National Population Conference (PERKKS 23).
The conference saw the unveiling of 15 resolutions aimed at tackling declining fertility rates and their implications to the nation's growth and demographic structure.
The 15 resolutions from PERKKS 23 are to be presented to the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry, and serve as crucial input for a cabinet paper to be presented next year.