Mataram City Government Conducts Cross-Sector Collaboration to Oversee MBG Implementation

Mataram (ANTARA) - The Mataram City Government in West Nusa Tenggara Province is forging cross-sector collaborations to oversee the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, aiming to guarantee food safety, hygiene, and balanced nutrition. “Supervision covers the certification of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) kitchens, raw materials, hygiene, processing, and distribution, to prevent poisoning cases and improve human resource quality,” said the Head of the Mataram City Health Department, dr H Emirald Isfihan, in Mataram on Tuesday. He stated that this collaborative oversight represents the Mataram City Government’s commitment to closely monitoring the central government’s programme and ensuring that food safety standards for the community are met. Therefore, MBG programme supervision in Mataram City is not limited to internal efforts by the Health Department and the Environmental Agency (LH), but also involves law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with regulations. Regarding the operations of public kitchens or SPPG, the Health Department plays a crucial role in issuing Hygiene Sanitation Fitness Certificates (SLHS), while wastewater treatment installation (IPAL) management falls under the Environmental Agency. “We can intervene on the SLHS. If deemed unfit, we will not issue the permit. SLHS is entirely under our authority at the Health Department,” he said. Currently, out of around 60 kitchens in Mataram, several are in the process of applying for SLHS. Although SLHS is valid for five years, the Health Department emphasises that the certificate is not an absolute guarantee without evaluation. The Health Department will continue field monitoring, and if reports or evidence of health standard violations are found in the future, it will not hesitate to revoke issued permits or SLHS. “We take firm action for the safety of children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers as MBG beneficiaries,” he said.