Academic urges improved MBG governance following Karo case
The findings of the investigation must serve as the basis for improving operational standards and the supervision system of the MBG programme so that similar incidents do not recur in other regions.
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Wahyu Ario Pratomo, an academic at the University of North Sumatra (USU), has urged the government to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme after a number of children in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, suffered health problems.
According to Wahyu, the government needs to improve MBG governance, based among other things on a transparent investigation into the cause of the incident in Karo, covering food procurement, storage, cooking processes, distribution, and the monitoring of hygiene and food safety.
“The findings of the investigation must serve as the basis for improving operational standards and the supervision system of the MBG programme so that similar incidents do not recur in other regions,” he said, quoted in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Wahyu also highlighted Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s direct visit to Karo to see first-hand the health condition of the victims, who are suspected to have suffered MBG-related food poisoning.
During the visit, the Vice President met the victims, spoke with their families, ensured medical care and medicines were available, and offered referrals to Medan or Jakarta.
One of the victims was subsequently flown to Jakarta for further examination and treatment.
According to Wahyu, Vice President Gibran’s visit was an appropriate step, as the case concerns the safety of children as well as public trust in the MBG programme.
“The Vice President’s direct visit to Karo was an important and appropriate step, particularly because this case concerns the safety of children and public trust in the Free Nutritious Meal Programme,” he said.
Nevertheless, Wahyu believes the Vice President’s presence should not stop at meeting the victims; it must also ensure healthcare services and funding certainty for the victims until their recovery is complete.
“The government must ensure that recovery does not end with acute treatment, but includes follow-up examinations, health and psychological monitoring, and funding certainty until the children have fully recovered and can return to school normally,” said the lecturer at USU’s Faculty of Economics and Business.
According to Wahyu, funding certainty is an essential part of caring for the victims, as the government must not only ensure medical services are available, but also guarantee the victims’ needs until their recovery is complete.