DPD RI distributes 500 nutritious meal packages for children under five in West Papua

Manokwari - DPD RI Committee III has distributed approximately 500 ready-to-serve nutritious meal packages for mothers and children under five in West Papua Province to optimise stunting intervention efforts. DPD RI Committee III Chairman Filep Wamafma in Manokwari on Monday stated the aid aims to support the accelerated stunting reduction programme, which still requires sustained nutritional interventions. ‘The aid distributed to West Papua totals 3,000 packages, with an additional 500 delivered today,’ said Filep. He added that addressing stunting is not solely the responsibility of local governments but requires cross-sector collaboration from central government, legislative bodies, healthcare workers, and communities. The aid distribution also aligns with the West Papua Healthy programme, which covers approximately 21 diseases not covered by BPJS Kesehatan social insurance. ‘Healthcare delivery approaches targeting communities directly should be strengthened,’ he said. He expressed hope that the distribution of additional food packages would help meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under five, particularly in areas with limited access to nutritious food. The Committee III also urged strengthening community education on parenting practices, sanitation, and balanced nutrition as part of early stunting prevention efforts. West Papua Health Department Immunisation Programme Head Hendrik Marisan explained the aid would be distributed to beneficiaries at four health centres in Teluk Wondama. The four health centres — Roon, Sobei, Soekpu, Nikiwar, and Naikere — will host integrated healthcare services from 1-6 June 2026. ‘The aid will be transported directly with the healthcare team to the locations,’ he said. He added that the additional nutritious meal packages from the Health Ministry, distributed via DPD RI Committee III Chairman, positively impact the integration of healthcare services in remote areas. The services provided include not only distributing nutritious meal packages but also general medical treatment, immunisations, and other basic healthcare services for communities at the four health centres. ‘These four health centres are in island and outermost regions that have long lacked healthcare services,’ he said.