PETALING JAYA: The free sanitary pad initiative will be expanded to strategic healthcare facilities and to the public, if the initial effort pans out successfully, says Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).

Her statement came on the heels of criticisms of her initiative to make free sanitary pads available at the ministry, as part of efforts to address period poverty.

“I take note of the confusion and I thank those who expressed their views on my statement on providing free sanitary pads at the Health Ministry’s headquarters,” she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Dec 13) night.

Explaining further, she said the initiative was started at the Health Ministry’s headquarters, in order to gauge the operations aspect and to garner immediate feedback.

“I foresee that this initiative can be expanded to strategic healthcare facilities and involve members of the public, if the initiative is successful,” she added.

She said although the initiative looks small, it has the potential to leave a big impact in addressing the issue of period poverty, adding that it was also in line with menstrual and women reproductive issues.

On Monday (Dec 12), Dr Zaliha announced that in an initial effort to address period poverty, the ministry would be providing free feminine hygiene products in its toilets before expanding the programme.

The statement was met with mixed reactions as some critics called the minister out for not appearing to understand that those in the bottom 40 (B40) income group are the ones in dire need of sanitary napkins.

The announcement received a lot of attention on social media with users weighing in on how the programme should be conducted.