LATE MARRIAGES IMPACTING DEMOGRAPHY, HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

KANGAR (Malaysia), Nov 10 (Bernama) -- A high education, fantastic
career and big pay packet are among the factors that cause young people to delay
marrying without realising that their action could affect the country's
demography and healthcare system.

Acting director of the Family Development Division, National Population and
Family Development Board, Hairil Fadly Mat Akir, said the late marriage
phenomenon among the young section of Malaysia's population was being
addressed.

He said issues relating to the matter needed to be dissected and
highlighted to the policy-makers, planners and programme managers for
consideration in drawing up the national development plans.

"It is important for this population issue to be understood and the
necessary action taken so as to enhance communities' well-being," he said at the
launching of the state-level World Population Day celebration themed 'Renewing
Commitment' in Pauh, near here, Sunday.

Kangar is the state capital of northern Perlis, Malaysia.

Hairil Fadly hoped that each implementation agency would be sensitive to
the capacity and needs of young people in planning policies and
programmes.



"Existing policies and programmes also need to be youth-friendly. For
instance, the government has agreed to strengthen the National Service training
programme through a module which will also focus on adolescent sexual and
reproductive health, gender equality and family values from this coming
January," he said.

The one-day forum held at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic in
Pauh
was attended by more than 250 senior government officers.

-- BERNAMA