BKKBN Lampung: MBG for 3B category reaches 520,385 beneficiaries

Bandarlampung - The Head of the Population and Family Development Agency (BKKBN) Representation for Lampung Province, Soetriningsih, stated that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme for the category of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) in the province has reached 520,385 target beneficiaries. “This MBG programme, which falls under our handling, is specifically for the 3B category with a target of 280,268 beneficiaries,” said Soetriningsih, Head of the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN) Lampung, in Bandarlampung on Saturday. “With this extraordinary achievement, we are striving to minimise risks and quickly coordinate with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and relevant parties if there are complaints about the served food,” she said. She explained that for food eligibility, her side continues to ensure the mechanisms for portioning food, delivery, distribution, and targeting recipients align with the established nutritional guidelines and standards. “Everything has been ensured to be in accordance, we hope that the BGN’s nutritional guidelines can also be maintained accordingly. However, with the current conditions, there are also specific cases that occur,” she stated. She cited the food poisoning incident in Bandarlampung, where her side quickly coordinated with the local government and the nutrition fulfilment service unit (SPPG) to halt food distribution to the targets. Because such unwanted incidents must be prevented, her side moved to conduct evaluations and supervision. She said the provision of free MBG targeting pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers is focused on families at risk of stunting, primarily in deciles 1-3 with welfare levels below average. “The impact we can see is that when families at risk of stunting with below-average welfare receive MBG every Monday-Wednesday. They get additional nutrition, and from an economic perspective, there is a reduction in the family consumption budget, so they can reallocate it for other needs,” she said.