SIBU: The Sarawak Ministry for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development is committed to its effort of increasing applications for the Sarawak Endowment Fund (EFS) and Maternity Assistance (BIB).
Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said according to the ministry’s key performance indicator (KPI), the applications needed to be increased to 90 per cent this year.
The Dalat assemblywoman stated that last year, only 72 per cent of EFS applications from 32,740 births were recorded whereas for BIB, only 80 per cent from 26,687 were recorded.
“We want to see an increase in terms of applications. This aid is an initiative of the Sarawak government to benefit the people.
“Therefore, we must achieve the 90 per cent target as the KPI that has been set,” she said when met by reporters after visiting the Maternity Ward at Sibu Hospital on Tuesday.
Fatimah also said EFS was introduced by the state government in 2019 and received an encouraging response with 80 per cent of applications from 36,117 birth registrations.
EFS is one of the state government initiatives with a grant of RM1,000 in the form of trust savings for every birth
of a Sarawakian child starting in 2019, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status.
BIB introduced in 2020, involves giving a ‘one-off’ assistance of RM450 in cash to every ‘K’ status mother or wife of a ‘K’ status ID card holder who gives birth to a child.
BIB helps the needs of mothers after giving birth, such as healthy nutrition and self-care during the confinement period, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status.
During the visit, Fatimah handed over assistance to two recipients for both BIB and EFS — Sundai John Mikai and Sharifah Nur Hazlindawatien Wan Sapare.
