Budget 2012: Free HPV Vaccination For Women In 2012, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The government will provide free HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccinations to enable more women to be immunised against cervical cancer, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The prime minister said the three-dose vaccine immunisation, which costs RM150, will be implemented by the National Family Planning Board.
"RM50 million has been allocated for this purpose in 2012," he said while tabling the 2012 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat Friday.
To promote mother-child health, Najib also announced the construction of a hospital for women and children in Kuala Lumpur through a government and private joint venture, costing RM700 million.
Apart from that, the government has allocated RM10 million to implement training programmes to fulfill its policy of having at least 30 per cent women at managerial level in the corporate sector. The government will organise, among others, advanced management programmes for women with potential to become members of the board of directors, intensify advocacy activities for greater participation of women in the corporate sector and develop a database of potential women directors.
"Suitable training programmes to encourage female professionals to return to work will also be conducted," he added.
The prime minister said the allocation to the Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) has been doubled to RM300 million as an incentive to small entrepreneurs.
He said Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), the country's largest micro-credit organisation, will also allocate RM2.1 billion for micro-financing to entrepreneurs, particularly women.
"From this total, RM100 million each is provided for Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs through a special unit under AIM," he said.
Najib said the government also proposed to waive the stamp duty on the micro -financing agreements to reduce the entrepreneurs' operating costs.