Minister of Population and Family Development: TPK Cadres Play Vital Role in Ensuring Free Nutritious Meal Programme Reaches Target Groups
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Population and Family Development (Mendukbangga) and Head of BKKBN, Wihaji, stated that cadres from the Family Assistance Team (TPK) hold a vital role in ensuring the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (3B) is precisely targeted.
“The role of TPK is essential because they interact directly with prospective brides, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and families with toddlers. Through regular education and assistance, TPK cadres are expected to help families recognise various risk factors while encouraging the use of available community services,” he said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday.
Wihaji made these remarks during a forum aimed at strengthening the role of TPK cadres as the frontline in assisting families in Dairi Regency, North Sumatra. The Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN continues to support the implementation of the MBG 3B programme, which is a priority for President Prabowo Subianto to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups and support efforts to reduce stunting risks.
“I asked the TPK, and it turns out the programme is already running here. We will follow up on areas where it is not yet operational. MBG 3B is a Presidential programme to help reduce the risk of stunting,” he noted.
He emphasised that through continuous assistance, TPK cadres are expected to help families understand the importance of nutritional fulfillment, good parenting, access to healthcare services, and a healthy environment. During a dialogue with the cadres, Wihaji urged participants to understand the causes of stunting more comprehensively. According to him, stunting is not only related to nutrition but is also influenced by parenting patterns, access to healthcare, and environmental and sanitation conditions that support optimal child development.
Through the strengthening of the TPK role and the implementation of MBG 3B, the Ministry/BKKBN continues to promote closer assistance to target families. These efforts are expected to ensure the programme is precisely targeted while supporting the improvement of human resource quality from an early age to realise healthier, higher-quality, and more prosperous Indonesian families.
Based on data from the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI), the stunting prevalence in Dairi Regency was recorded at 29 per cent, a decrease from 32.6 per cent in 2023. Despite showing an improving trend, family assistance and interventions for target groups must be strengthened to ensure a sustainable decline in stunting.
Meanwhile, the target number for MBG 3B in North Sumatra reaches 1,776,985 people. The implementation of the programme is supported by 1,283 Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), with 673 SPPGs having already distributed MBG to target groups. In North Sumatra, the role of TPK is increasingly important given the large scale of the programme’s target population. Data from the BKKBN North Sumatra Representative shows there are 10,317 TPK groups, or 30,949 cadres, spread across all regencies and cities. The presence of these cadres serves as a primary strength in supporting family assistance down to the village and sub-district levels.