Jakarta (ANTARA) – National Nutrition Agency (BGN) said medical treatment and an investigation were proceeding optimally in Papua after hundreds of students receiving the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program were suspected of suffering food poisoning.
“We are ensuring that all patients receive the necessary medical treatment. At the same time, a comprehensive evaluation is ongoing to prevent similar incidents from occurring again and to further improve the MBG Program so that it provides safe benefits to all recipients,” BGN Deputy Head Maj. Gen. TNI Trenggono said on Friday.
Trenggono inspected several health facilities treating patients, including Depapre Community Health Center, the Depapre District Office Hall, and Yowari Regional General Hospital, together with Deputy Home Affairs Minister Ribka Haluk on Thursday.
He also visited the SPPG operated by Yayasan Kasih Iman Samuel Papua, which was responsible for preparing and distributing the meals involved in the incident that occurred on Wednesday morning. Its operations have been temporarily suspended pending an investigation.
He acknowledged that there were still many shortcomings and said the evaluation would continue, not only to identify the cause of the incident but also to strengthen the monitoring system and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“I have also reprimanded the regional coordinator and asked why such inadequate supervision could still occur,” Trenggono said.
“For now, we have suspended operations while we check and investigate where the mistake occurred, whether it involved standard operating procedures or the raw materials. This is an evaluation for all of us,” he added.
Trenggono said initial findings pointed to a possible deterioration in the quality of tempe bacem, a traditional Indonesian dish made from fermented soybeans, after it was prepared too early. He said, however, that the exact cause had yet to be determined pending laboratory test results.
“However, the exact cause of the incident is still awaiting laboratory test results, so all parties are urged to await the official investigation findings,” Trenggono said.
As of 3:45 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT) on Friday, 219 beneficiaries had received medical treatment at various health facilities. Eight had been discharged after their conditions improved, while three patients were referred from Yowari Regional General Hospital to a Health Ministry hospital for further treatment.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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