Student Suffers Alleged Memory Loss After Free Nutritious Meal Poisoning, DPR Commission IX: National Nutrition Agency to Cover Costs
The Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Yahya Zaini, has highlighted the case of a student in Karo, North Sumatra, who is reported to have suffered a 70% impairment of memory following treatment for food poisoning from the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Yahya has requested that the student, 16-year-old Febiona Purba, be ensured to be physically and mentally healthy.
“Regarding the case in Karo involving a student who lost 70% of her memory following treatment after a poisoning incident, I request that the hospital and doctors ensure the individual’s health condition is stable, both physically and mentally,” Yahya told reporters on Thursday (10/09/2026).
He stated that if the mental impairment is indeed linked to trauma caused by the food poisoning, there must be accountability. “If it is true that the mental disorder is due to trauma from food poisoning, someone must be held responsible,” he said.
Yahya requested that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) assist with the student’s medical costs until she is declared fully recovered. He emphasised that medical expenses should not be borne by the student’s parents if the condition is a direct impact of the MBG programme’s implementation.
“I ask the BGN to help with the treatment costs of the individual until she is completely recovered. Hospital costs should not be the responsibility of the student’s parents. Instead, it must be the responsibility of the government, in this case, the BGN,” he asserted.
In addition to the Karo case, Yahya expressed concern over the increasing number of MBG poisoning incidents. He urged the BGN to conduct thorough investigations to identify the cause of every occurrence.
According to Yahya, investigations must determine whether the poisoning was caused by errors in the cooking process or if the food was consumed after exceeding safe time limits. “Ideally, the interval between food being cooked and being eaten should not exceed 4 hours,” he noted.
“The head chef is the person most responsible for food poisoning incidents. They must be disciplined and cannot afford any negligence in supervising food management, from preparation and cooking to portioning and distribution to the beneficiaries,” he concluded.
It was previously reported that Febiona Purba (16), a student in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, allegedly suffered memory impairment after undergoing hospital treatment following food poisoning from the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The Head of the North Sumatra Education Regional Office (Branch IV), Zulkarnain Barus, stated that he had received information regarding Febiona’s condition from the school principal. “Yes, I have just confirmed with our school principal. The principal’s report yesterday was taken to Adam Malik Hospital in Medan for an EEG,” Zulkarnain said when confirmed on Tuesday (08/09).