Health Minister voices support for BGN's steps to improve free nutritious meal programme governance

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has expressed full support for four steps being taken by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).

“I strongly support and appreciate the steps that have been set by the new leadership of BGN,” said Minister Budi Gunadi during a visit from BGN Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang and her two deputies, Agustina Arumsari and Major General TNI Trenggono, at the Ministry of Health building in Jakarta on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Nanik outlined four steps the BGN leadership will take to reorganise the MBG Programme. These include refocusing beneficiary priorities, a moratorium on the construction of new kitchens, improvements to kitchens already in operation, and the formulation of a new implementation scheme for MBG in frontier, disadvantaged, and outermost (3T) regions.

She also emphasised that synergy between the Ministry of Health and BGN will encompass data integration and programme details.

The Health Minister stated he will prepare child health and nutrition experts from the Ministry of Health to support BGN in its efforts to successfully implement the MBG governance improvements.

Nanik also stressed that the BGN leadership now operates on a more collective and collegial basis. As head of BGN, she said, she will not decide on various matters without the approval of her two deputies.

“I am merely the class chairperson. We will decide everything together,” said Nanik.

She expressed appreciation for the support from Health Minister Budi Gunadi and his entire staff towards BGN. Going forward, Nanik hopes this cooperation will continue sustainably and grow even closer in the effort to prepare Indonesia’s golden generation by 2045.