According to the minister, providing MBG to non-students aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's directives to ensure adequate nutrition for vulnerable groups, thereby fostering healthy and quality future generations.
"In addition to focusing on students, the initial stage of the MBG program is also intended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. They are the next generation who must be protected from the womb," he stated during his visit to Bandung District on Tuesday.
The minister highlighted that fulfilling nutritional needs plays a crucial role in reducing stunting rates in Indonesia, which currently stands at 21.5 percent, with the aim of lowering this figure to 18 percent by 2025.
Wihaji noted that distributing nutritious food for pregnant women and toddlers presents more challenges than school meal distribution, as it cannot be centralized in the same location.
Hence, his party collaborates with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and has formed a Family Assistance Team (TPK) to ensure the aid delivery reaches the targeted beneficiaries.
Furthermore, Wihaji indicated that his team shares tasks with other ministries in implementing the government's priority program, especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.
"We ensure this aid will truly be received by pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, not consumed by other family members," he remarked.
Meanwhile, BGN's Deputy for Promotion and Cooperation, Nyoto Suwigyo, explained that the MBG program targets two beneficiary segments: students from pre-school to high school and non-students, including the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.
Suwigyo revealed that the distribution of MBG for pregnant women and toddlers is currently in a simulation phase, with a target of gradually increasing distribution until the end of 2025.
"Beneficiaries will be verified and validated. Further steps will be communicated with BGN while adjusting to the financing adequacy," he disclosed.
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Translator: Rubby Jovan P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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