Free Nutritious Meal Programme for the Elderly and People with Disabilities to Launch Soon, Scheme Being Finalised
MBG for the Elderly & People with Disabilities to Launch Soon, Scheme Being Finalised
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) are currently finalising the implementation scheme for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) for the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Today, I coordinated with the Head of BGN, Professor Dadan, to finalise the free nutritious meal programme specifically for the elderly and people with disabilities. I am grateful that the concept is becoming more mature and we have a clearer idea of how the collaboration will work,” said Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) after his meeting with the Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, at the BGN Office, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026).
This MBG programme for the elderly and people with disabilities is a continuation of the ‘Permakanan’ programme that has been run by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Previously, ready-to-eat food assistance for the elderly and people with disabilities has been distributed through social workers and community groups (Pokmas) in the regions. Now, the national MBG scheme will be integrated to broaden its coverage and ensure more measurable nutritional standards.
Gus Ipul explained that the provision of food will utilise the Nutritional Service Units (SPPG) owned by the BGN, which are spread throughout the regions. Meanwhile, outreach to beneficiaries will continue through the existing social service mechanisms of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
“The service will still be provided by the SPPG, while the delivery will be carried out by Pokmas or caregivers,” said Gus Ipul.
The target of this programme is the elderly and people with disabilities who are registered in the National Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), specifically those in the 1-5 decile groups. Priority will be given to vulnerable elderly people and people with severe disabilities who have difficulty meeting their basic daily needs, thus requiring direct nutritional support.
“Thank you, Professor Dadan, for guiding us in developing a concept that is now fully integrated with the MBG,” added Gus Ipul.
The Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, said that this synergy would facilitate service delivery to vulnerable groups, especially since the SPPG network is already available in various regions of Indonesia.
“I think what has actually been the task of the Minister of Social Affairs all along will be made easier with the presence of SPPG in every region, because SPPG is available in every region of Indonesia with an average radius of 4 km,” said Dadan.
He added that the division of roles between the BGN and the Ministry of Social Affairs would make the process of providing and distributing food more effective.
“Food can be obtained from the SPPG, and then delivered by staff from the Ministry of Social Affairs, namely Pokmas or caregivers. This is a good synergy that optimises the facilities,” he explained.
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