Inauguration of UMSU Nutrition Service Unit: North Sumatra Deputy Governor Affirms Free Nutritious Meals Programme as Investment in the 2045 Generation
MEDAN — North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya has called on all stakeholders to broaden the scope of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to include infants and pregnant women.
The appeal was made during the inauguration of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at the University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) Campus IV in Percut Seituan, Deliserdang, on Monday (16 February).
According to Surya, the quality of a region 10 to 20 years from now will not be determined by the infrastructure built today, but rather by the quality of the generation currently growing up.
“Healthy children will learn better, well-nourished children will think more sharply, and a strong generation will become the foundation of a resilient nation. That is the essence of the MBG programme. This is not merely about feeding people — it is about building the future,” he affirmed.
Surya outlined four strategic steps to ensure the programme runs effectively and delivers broad impact:
- Prioritising local food ingredients, so that economic circulation returns to regional communities.
- Maintaining food quality, ensuring children are not merely full but genuinely healthy.
- Conducting open and continuous oversight to guarantee programme accountability.
He stressed that the MBG programme is aligned with the development direction of Kolaborasi Sumut Berkah towards a region that is excellent, progressive, and sustainable. Excellence, he said, is not solely about infrastructure and the economy, but about the quality of human resources.
“Nutrition fulfilment is an investment in education, health, and economic development simultaneously,” Surya said.
Investment Towards Golden Indonesia 2045
At the same event, Abdul Mu’ti affirmed that MBG represents a long-term investment towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
The strong generation of the future consists of those who are currently attending kindergarten, primary school, junior secondary school, and senior secondary school — and even those still in the womb.
He cited various studies demonstrating that human development is largely determined during three critical stages: the period in the womb, the golden age from birth to five years of age, and the subsequent growth and development phase.
“These are the crucial periods that determine human quality. When MBG targets pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, we are safeguarding the golden age. This is an extraordinary investment,” Abdul Mu’ti said.
The MBG programme, he stressed, cannot succeed without cross-sector collaboration. Central and regional government, higher education institutions, community organisations, schools, the business sector, and the wider public must all work together to ensure that North Sumatra’s generation grows up healthy and of high quality.