Six Nutrition Service Units in North Tapanuli Temporarily Suspended for Failing Sanitation Standards
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended operations of six Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in North Tapanuli Regency. The decision was taken because several SPPGs failed to meet basic sanitation requirements, including the lack of Sanitation Hygiene Compliance Certificates (SLHS) and wastewater treatment facilities (IPAL).
The temporary suspension was outlined in BGN Letter Number 769/D.TWS/03/2026 dated 8 March 2026, signed by the Director of Regional Supervision and Monitoring I, Harjito, and addressed to the Head of North Sumatra SPPG.
The letter stated that the operational suspension was based on a report from the Regional Coordinator of North Sumatra Province dated 7 March 2026. The report indicated that several SPPGs had not registered for SLHS certification and/or did not have wastewater treatment facilities, despite exceeding the 30-day deadline from commencement of operations.
The policy also references the National Nutrition Agency of the Republic of Indonesia Decision Number 401.1 of 2025 concerning the Technical Guidelines for the Management of the 2026 Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG). The regulation stipulates that each SPPG must meet hygiene and waste management standards before commencing full operations.
The six suspended SPPGs in North Tapanuli Regency are: SPPG Tarutung Hutatoruan X, SPPG Pangaribuan Harianja, SPPG Muara Simatupang, SPPG Garoga Aek Tangga, SPPG Muara Bariba Ni Aek, and SPPG Lumban Siregar.
Sevendris Butar Butar, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the North Tapanuli District Health Office, confirmed via telephone on Tuesday (10 March) that all six SPPGs lack the required sanitation hygiene certificates.
“It is correct that all six SPPGs do not have Sanitation Hygiene Compliance Certificates. Of the total 38 SPPGs in North Tapanuli, based on the BGN Regional Coordinator’s report to the Health Office, there are still several without SLHS because they have not commenced operations,” he stated.
However, data from the North Tapanuli Health Office also indicates that several other SPPGs have not registered for SLHS certification, including SPPG Silali Toruan Muara, Pakpahan 1 Pangaribuan, Siabal Abal 2 Sipahutar, and Amandari 2 Tarutung.
The BGN Coordinator for the Tapanuli Region, Syah Menan Lubis, had not provided comment as of publication. Confirmation attempts via telephone and WhatsApp remained unanswered.
The temporary suspension of these SPPGs is expected to serve as an evaluation measure to ensure that all operators of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme fully meet health, sanitation, and environmental management standards before resuming operations.