BGN Investigates Alleged Food Poisoning Among Free Nutritious Meal Scheme Beneficiaries in Nabire
The National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional/BGN) in Nabire District, Central Papua, is investigating alleged food poisoning affecting seven beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) programme in the region.
BGN Regional Coordinator for Nabire Marsel Asyerem said on Saturday that the seven individuals experiencing health disturbances comprised three teachers and four students from three schools: Gracia Kindergarten, State Junior Secondary School 7, and Inpres Waharia Primary School.
“These seven individuals experienced identical symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness, leading to suspicion of bacterial food poisoning,” he stated.
He explained that the three schools were recipients of MBG services from the Lani Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi/SPPG) kitchen. SPPG Lani currently serves 17 schools with a total of 1,892 beneficiaries comprising students and teachers.
The seven individuals developed symptoms on Wednesday (11 March), though the incident was only reported to BGN on Friday (13 March), prompting BGN to immediately coordinate with doctors for patient treatment.
Initial medical examination identified bacteria suspected of disrupting patients’ immune systems. However, the precise cause of the health disturbance could not yet be determined. “Doctors cannot yet confirm whether the symptoms were caused by MBG meals or other factors,” he said.
He added that laboratory testing of patient samples, including vomit, would be required to determine the cause. However, such testing cannot be conducted in Nabire and must be sent to a laboratory in Jayapura.
Fresh food in the MBG programme should be consumed directly at schools and is not permitted to be taken home, as it risks spoilage.
Although the precise cause remains unknown, BGN has reported the case to the national BGN office for evaluation of the relevant SPPG kitchen. Additionally, BGN has instructed all SPPG kitchens in Nabire to strengthen food preparation standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent similar incidents.
BGN is also ensuring all beneficiaries experiencing poisoning symptoms receive proper medical care. Five patients previously treated at Rihensa Clinic were transferred to Alfa Benedik Jaya Clinic for more optimal healthcare services. BGN covered the full treatment costs for the five patients at Rihensa Clinic, totalling 9.84 million Indonesian rupiah.
“Following coordination with the SPPG Lani Head and partners, the five patients treated at Rihensa Clinic were transferred to Alfa Benedik Jaya Clinic to receive better healthcare services,” he said.