KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development has received a total of 6,012 applications for post natal care assistance, Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB) 2020, as of May 31.
Of these, 5,221 applications were for post-delivery while 304 were still in pregnancy.
Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said, the ministry had made payments to 2,650 applicants (51 percent).
“The remaining applications are still in the process of payment at the ministry level,” she said at a press conference yesterday.
Fatimah added that to ensure smooth facilitation of application and payment processes of BIB and other assistance such as EFS, the ministry would use a digital platform via iSarawak Care app.
“A trial run for the assistance’s application involving the ministry, National Registration Department (JPN) and Bank Islam will be done at the end of this month,” she said.
BIB is an initiative by the state government where every pregnant Sarawakian mother is entitled to RM450 to assist her after giving birth starting Jan 1 this year. The state government has approved RM18mil for the purpose.
The initiative aims to help with the needs of mothers after giving birth such as nutrition, post natal care and so on. This assistance will be paid directly into the eligible mother’s account, after the birth of the child.
To apply, a pregnant mother must be a Sarawakian or wife to the ‘K’ status holder and given birth in or outside of Sarawak.
Fatimah also said the application could be made when the pregnancy had reached 22 weeks and above up to three months after delivery.
The application form can be obtained at http://bit.ly/bib_kwkpk or filled online at http://bit.do/bib2020
Applicants can also obtain the form at any JKMS branch, Resident’s Office, District Office or the ministry at the Baitulmakmur building.
