Changes needed: Dr Mastura (left) and Lim call for steps to improve fertility outcomes.
GEORGE TOWN: Regular check-ups, early fertility issue detection and supplements can all help to boost fertility outcomes, says a family medicine specialist.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said couples can enhance their chances of achieving their dream of parenthood by taking proactive steps to maintain their health.
“Avoid smoking, engage in regular physical activities and manage stress. These factors significantly impact fertility.
“Stress, in particular, has been identified as a contributing factor to fertility challenges, underscoring the need for a balanced and healthy lifestyle to support fertility, regardless of age,” she said in an interview.
Dr Mastura said that while age is a significant factor in fertility, the decision to start a family should be made with careful consideration of one’s health, lifestyle and personal goals.
As fertility tends to peak in the early years of adulthood, many couples are encouraged to consider having babies earlier before age becomes a limiting factor, she added.
“Statistics show that fertility rate naturally declines after the age of 40, making it more challenging for couples to conceive.
“However, the decision to start a family early is deeply personal and depends on various factors, including the couple’s readiness and life circumstances,” she said.
The Star had earlier reported that experts said Malaysia needs to prioritise a support system for raising children to avoid the double whammy of declining birth rate and reaching aged nation status in less than a decade.
They noted that many such policies have already been drawn up, such as setting up more childcare centres in the private sector, but the implementation of these programmes is slow and needs to be accelerated.
They added that otherwise, Malaysia will not be able to produce enough working-age adults to support a society in which seniors make up the majority.
Meanwhile, Penang social development committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the current birth rate among Penangites is concerning.
She said there had been a steady decline over the past few years, which reflects broader national and global trends.
“This decline can be attributed to various factors, including increased urbanisation, higher living costs and changing societal norms around family size and career priorities,” she said.
Lim said a multifaceted approach, including economic incentives, family-friendly policies and cultural shifts, was needed.
“The state government has actively taken measures by enhancing childcare services, such as providing grants, incentives and child care subsidies, such as the Anak Emas (Golden Child) programme that provides an incentive of RM200 for every baby born in Penang,” she said.
She said the state government has also exercised efforts in legalising childcare centres (taska) and kindergartens (tadika) to ensure that operators comply with safety and health requirements.
“This is to help put parents at ease when they send their children to registered childcare under the state welfare department,” she added.
In 2022 and 2023, Lim said the state government had allocated RM904,523 to childcare centres and kindergartens.
“This incentive is an encouragement for operators to actively participate in childcare services, thereby reducing the burden on parents,” she said.
Lim said the state is also focusing on raising awareness about the importance of family planning and supporting work-life balance initiatives in the workplace.
She said the state government, through the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), is also promoting the Gender Inclusiveness Policy.
“We want to address gender inequality issues and promote shared family responsibilities, making it easier for women to balance work and family.
“We aim to further collaborate with both the private and public sectors to create an environment where starting and raising a family is seen as a rewarding and viable option through initiatives such as family-friendly workplace policies, childcare services at the workplace and flexible work arrangements to make it more convenient for parents,” she said.
