Indonesia initiates Free Nutritious Meals program in Highland Papua

Jayawijaya, Highland Papua (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), along with the governments of Highland Papua Province and Jayawijaya District, officially launched the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for the region on Monday.

Wahyu Adi Pratama, Coordinator of Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) at BGN in Highland Papua, noted that the program has officially started after being postponed from its original launch date on February 17.

"A dining session marks the launch of the MBG program today," he remarked in Wamena, Jayawijaya.

Pratama emphasized that the general plan is to operate two SPPGs, or kitchens dedicated to the program, to cater to the district's nutritional needs of approximately seven thousand pupils.

However, he stated that the plan's full implementation might be delayed until after Eid al-Fitr because one of the partners designated to help BGN with meal preparation and distribution had passed away.

The coordinator explained that in the program’s initial phase, the government aims to prioritize providing meals to schoolchildren before expanding to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

He also revealed the government’s plan to promote the significance of the program, which has been prioritized by President Prabowo Subianto, by distributing meals to teachers in Highland Papua.

The official underlined that BGN Head Dadan Hindayana has approved this plan, allowing for the provision of free nutritious meals to both pupils and teachers in the province.

Pratama then highlighted that for Muslim pupils and teachers, the government intends to offer customized meal packages for takeaway during the Ramadan fasting month.

Meanwhile, Head of Jayawijaya District Athenius Murib reminded the designated kitchens to prioritize hygiene in the cooking processes.

"Hygiene must be prioritized to ensure the meals are safe to eat," he remarked.