Speaking in Sorong, Southwest Papua, on Friday, West Papua Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani underscored that the formation of the task force reflects his government's commitment to advancing MBG as one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship programs.
"We have created a task force at the provincial level. Although food poisoning cases are not quite evident in West Papua, we still consider it crucial to address this matter," he stated.
Lakotani noted that the provincial government had coordinated with the XVIII/Kasuari Military Regional Command to gather all operators of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs), which serve as kitchens for the MBG program.
This step, he explained, aims to help the local government evaluate SPPGs' compliance with operational standards and identify obstacles faced on the ground.
"We have also forwarded input from various parties to MBG executors to ensure the program runs smoothly and without issues," the deputy governor added.
Meanwhile, Head of the West Papua Health Office, Dr. Alwan Rimosan, said the MBG task force is chaired by Deputy Governor Lakotani, with members drawn from several institutions.
He emphasized that SPPG workers in West Papua would undergo training, in line with the central government’s directive requiring all MBG kitchens to obtain hygiene and sanitation certificates after MBG-linked poisoning cases were reported in several regions.
The provincial government is also working to validate MBG recipient data to improve accuracy.
Earlier, Head of the West Papua Branch of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Erika Vionita Werinussa, informed that training had begun for 987 workers serving in 20 SPPGs in Manokwari, two in South Manokwari, and two in Teluk Wondama.
She noted the training would be expanded to SPPGs in Kaimana and Fakfak districts.
Launched in January 2025 under President Prabowo's initiative, the MBG program targets 83 million schoolchildren, breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and toddlers nationwide this year.
In West Papua, the program has so far reached 34,098 residents in Manokwari, about five thousand each in Teluk Wondama and Teluk Bintuni, six thousand each in Fakfak and South Manokwari, and 12 thousand in Kaimana.
Nationally, the initiative has served more than 30 million people, supported by over 10 thousand SPPGs.
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Translator: Fransiskus S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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