Farabi El Fouz: Free Nutritious Meal Programme Effectively Accelerates Stunting Reduction

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG — Farabi El Fouz, a member of Commission V of the West Java DPRD and a health practitioner, views the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) as a strategic step in accelerating the reduction of stunting rates, particularly in West Java. According to Farabi, a nutrition-based approach is the most fundamental intervention with a direct impact on vulnerable groups, such as all children including infants under two years old and pregnant women. He stresses that stunting cannot be addressed partially but must start with fulfilling adequate nutritional needs. “As a health practitioner, I see this programme as highly relevant and based on real needs in the field. The MBG programme is an effective lever because it directly targets the root cause of stunting, which is a lack of nutritional intake,” Farabi told Republika.co.id on Thursday (2/4/2026). He explained that in many cases, stunting occurs due to a long-term lack of access to nutritious food. Therefore, the presence of this programme is seen as a tangible intervention that is not only curative but also preventive. As a member of Commission V of the West Java DPRD, which handles public welfare, Farabi also urges that this programme be implemented in a targeted and sustainable manner. He emphasises the importance of monitoring distribution and food quality so that its benefits are truly felt by the community. “This programme must be supported by strict oversight and cross-sector collaboration, including education for the public on healthy eating patterns, sanitation, and child-rearing practices,” he said. Farabi added that if implemented consistently and integrated with other health programmes, the MBG Programme has great potential to become an accelerator in achieving the national stunting reduction target. He is optimistic that with joint commitment from central and local governments and the community, stunting rates can be significantly reduced in the coming years.