Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 Indonesia\u2019s Social Affairs Minister Saifullah\nYusuf has stated that the implementation plan for the Free Nutritious\nMeals Programme (MBG) for elderly citizens is currently in the concept\nrefinement stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we are still refining the concept,\u201d said the minister, commonly\nknown as Gus Ipul, when met following a meeting with the Mental Health\nAssociation at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta on\nFriday.<\/p>\n
The statement was made in response to journalists\u2019 questions\nregarding the progress of the MBG plan for the elderly following his\nmeeting with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan\nHindayana on Wednesday, 25 February.<\/p>\n
The minister elaborated on several aspects the government is refining\nregarding the MBG for elderly persons, including the establishment of\nNutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that will prepare meals and\ndistribute them through Ministry of Social Affairs staff, community\ngroups, and caregivers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan is structured in this manner, but we are still refining it\nso that there will be more kitchens and we can reach more elderly\npersons,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also stated that the government hopes the MBG provision will reach\nbetween 300,000 and 500,000 beneficiaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously we served approximately 100,000 elderly persons and\napproximately 36,000 persons with disabilities. Going forward, our hope\nis that this can expand to between 300,000 and 500,000 beneficiaries, so\nwe expect the number of beneficiaries to be significantly larger.\nHowever, all of this is still in the planning stage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Gus Ipul had stated that the determination of MBG\nbeneficiaries among elderly persons and persons with disabilities will\nbe conducted through a data-based assessment process involving the\nMinistry of Social Affairs and regional governments. This data will then\nbe ratified by regional heads before being submitted to the BGN as the\nbasis for service delivery at the SPPG.<\/p>\n
According to him, the primary target of this programme is elderly\npersons aged over 75 years living alone and persons with disabilities\nwho face limitations in accessing adequate daily nutrition.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/social-affairs-minister-states-free-nutritious-meals-programme-for-elderly-still-in-concept-refinement-stage-1772197266", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }