By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Feb 2 — The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) will take part in the Selangor Saring community health screening programme in a move to strengthen its collaboration with the state government and provide better services to the public.
Its newly-appointed deputy chairman Juwairiya Zulkifli said the agency under the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is committed to providing the public greater access to various screening services for free.
Through the collaboration, 3,500 mammogram screenings and 3,000 human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests will be offered to women in Selangor.
A mammogram is an x-ray screening to detect the early stages of breast cancer, while DNA-based testing for HPV is an effective screening method to detect cervical cancer.
“We aim to improve the existing services for women’s reproductive healthcare.
“We want to provide them with better exposure regarding the prevention of cervical and breast cancers through HPV DNA test and mammogram screening, respectively,” she told the press after visiting the Shah Alam Family Centre at Selangor LPPKN headquarters today.
Juwairiya added that LPPKN will also conduct a nationwide road tour to promote the agency’s MamaCare and PapaCare initiatives, beginning in Selangor. It will kick off in Hulu Selangor on February 17 and continue throughout the year.
This includes a 1,200 quota for MamaCare in Selangor this year, involving the training of single mothers to serve as midwives and masseuse to women.
“We will promote MamaCare in each state constituency to reach those who are interested and support them in achieving their desired careers.
“We will begin in Hulu Kelang and then expand across Selangor. The programme is free of charge,” she said.
MamaCare is a postnatal care service for mothers aiming to help improve the well-being and reproductive health of women and families. It trains elderly women and single mothers to generate income by offering these services.
PapaCare, meanwhile, is catered to men’s wellness services.
Earlier in her speech, Juwairiya expressed concern on the trend of ageing society both in Selangor and Malaysia as a whole.
The former Bukit Melawati state assemblyman said LPPKN is committed to addressing the challenges of an ageing society through various initiatives, including MamaCare and PapaCare.
She also shared her recent conversation with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri on the critical need to focus on the deteriorating fertility rate, which currently stands at 1.6 at the national level and 1.7 in Selangor.
Juwairiya said it is crucial to provide early intervention to teenagers to address this issue.
According to the Statistics Department, the total fertility rate for 2022 is the lowest in 50 years, with 1.6 children per woman aged 15 to 49 compared to 1.7 children recorded in 2021.
“In Selangor, the growth is very slow compared to other states. Malaysia aims to have a population of 70 million people by 2100, yet we are only at 33 million now. There is a long way to go,” she said.
“To this end, I will ensure that LPPKN actively collaborates with the state government, as Selangor’s policies align with ours,” she said.
LPPKN is also determined to enhance its collaboration with the state government to promote a balanced approach to supporting young families and senior citizens.
