Student in Karo Suffers Memory Loss Allegedly Linked to Free Nutritious Meal Programme; Bobby Nasution Responds
Febiona Purba (16), a Year 11 student at SMK Bersama Berastagi in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, is currently undergoing follow-up examinations at RSUP H Adam Malik Medan after moving between several hospitals for over three weeks to receive treatment.
Febiona initially suffered food poisoning after consuming a Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) at her school. However, her condition has since worsened. Her family reports that she is now experiencing memory loss and difficulty speaking.
Elvinus Lusiana Sitanggang (49), Febiona’s mother, stated that her daughter began showing symptoms of poisoning after consuming the MBG at school on 13 August 2026. “At that time, they were given the MBG; the menu was mackerel tuna. After eating, my child returned home and said her head was dizzy, her body was itchy, and she was vomiting. We tried giving her milk, but she vomited it up again,” she said on Tuesday (8/9).
Subsequently, Febiona’s condition deteriorated. Elvinus claimed her daughter has suffered repeated seizures and has difficulty speaking. Furthermore, she has been suffering from memory loss for almost a month.
“To this day, my child has been treated in five different hospitals. She is currently receiving outpatient treatment at RSUP H Adam Malik. While being treated at RS Haji, the doctor said her brain was affected by the toxins. Her condition is worsening; my daughter often has seizures lasting up to 10 minutes. And now, she finds it difficult to speak,” she said.
Elvinus did not expect her daughter to suffer from memory loss. Febiona no longer recognises her teachers, friends, or even her own younger sibling. The family hopes Febiona will receive proper medical intervention so her condition can improve.
Febiona is an achiever at her school and serves as the vice chairperson of the Student Council (OSIS). “When her classmates and teachers came to visit her at home, she did not recognise them. I told her, ‘these are your classmates,’ but she said she didn’t know them. I just want my child to receive the right treatment so she can recover quickly and return to school,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations officer for RSUP H Adam Malik Medan, Rosario Dorothy Simanjuntak, stated that Febiona has visited the hospital three times for outpatient treatment. “First on 31 August 2026, then 7 September, and today,” Rosario told CNN Indonesia on Tuesday (8/9).
During these examinations, Febiona has been treated by paediatric gastrointestinal, paediatric neurology, and psychiatric specialists. She has also undergone an electroencephalography (EEG) test to further investigate her condition.
However, Rosario emphasised that the medical team has not yet been able to provide a definitive diagnosis or confirm the cause of Febiona’s impairment. She noted that investigations are ongoing and doctors are still evaluating the case before reaching a conclusion.
On the other hand, the Secretary of the North Sumatra Health Office (Dinkes Sumut), Hamid Rijal Lubis, admitted that they have not yet received an official report from RSUP H Adam Malik regarding Febiona’s latest condition, including the alleged memory loss.
“We will first check the written statement from Adam Malik Hospital. The path for memory loss and food poisoning is quite different,” Hamid told CNN Indonesia on Tuesday (8/9). He emphasised that the office will not draw conclusions before receiving the results from the medical team.
Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) in North Sumatra has yet to provide a statement. Officials including the Head of BGN Sumut, Yoga Aztrianto, and BGN spokespersons have not responded to inquiries at the time of publication.
The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, stated that Febiona’s condition is currently under medical monitoring. He noted that examinations are being conducted not only to assess her physical state but also to determine if the impairment is neurological or due to other factors.
“We have just requested a report regarding this case. Monitoring is ongoing, both physically and psychologically, to see if there is indeed an impairment,” Bobby told reporters.
He added that the administration is awaiting medical results to identify the cause of the impairment. “We need to see through medical follow-ups whether this is an effect on the autonomic nervous system, neurology, or something else,” he said.
In addition to medical checks, Febiona will also undergo psychological evaluation. Bobby stated that the patient’s mental state requires attention, particularly regarding potential trauma following the poisoning incident.