Student Allegedly Suffers Memory Loss After Consuming Free Nutritious Meal in Karo; Treated by Three Specialists
The Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Services at the Ministry of Health, Aji Muhawarman, stated that a student, identified by the initials FP (16), who is reported to be experiencing memory impairment after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG), is currently receiving intensive care from three medical specialists.
“Regarding the treatment of the paediatric patient FP, outpatient care has been provided since 31 August at Adam Malik Hospital, Medan. Currently, the patient is being managed by a paediatric specialist sub-specialising in gastrohepatology, a paediatric specialist sub-specialising in neurology, and a mental health specialist,” said Aji on Thursday (10/9).
However, he emphasised that no conclusion has yet been reached regarding a link between FP’s illness and the consumption of the MBG.
“It cannot yet be concluded that there is a connection between the illness suffered by FP and the MBG,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has yet to provide an explanation regarding the case. When contacted, officials from the BGN, including Head of BGN Sudaryont and Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari, have not yet responded to allegations of food safety issues occurring in several regions.
It was previously reported that the condition of the vocational school student in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, identified as FP, has not improved almost a month after becoming a victim of alleged poisoning from the MBG programme. The victim is now reported to be experiencing seizures, difficulty speaking, and memory impairment.
FP’s parents stated that their child no longer recognises family members and struggles to remember the names of school friends. Furthermore, the victim’s physical condition has worsened, with symptoms including seizures and the tongue retracting, making communication difficult.
FP is one of 353 students from five schools in Karo Regency who suffered mass poisoning after consuming MBG meals on Thursday (13/8). Since the incident, the victims have undergone treatment in various healthcare facilities.