He explained that the Ministry of Social Affairs had already rolled out a meal provision initiative for the elderly; the current plan is essentially aimed at expanding coverage from 136,000 beneficiaries in a more coordinated manner.
"Basically, the next step is to expand and integrate our social protection services with the MBG program being carried out by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN)," Yusuf remarked in Jakarta on Thursday.
The minister added that his office is still collecting data on prospective MBG recipients while devising distribution mechanisms to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
He also noted the possibility of including elderly residents in nursing homes in the expansion, indicating that the number of new recipients has not yet been finalized.
Regarding people with disabilities, Yusuf confirmed that the government aims to provide free nutritious breakfast and lunch daily to around 36,000 individuals under the national priority program.
He noted that MBG would be distributed to the two beneficiary groups directly through BGN-backed kitchens, with support from ministry employees, caregivers, and social volunteers.
"These are our ministry’s plans in collaboration with the BGN. Meanwhile, the responsibility for delivering MBG to pregnant women lies with the Ministry of Population and Family Development," the minister added.
In fact, the MBG program has served approximately 60.7 million schoolchildren, toddlers, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women through 22,275 kitchens nationwide since its launch in January last year.
Yusuf emphasized that integrating social protection services with the MBG program is aimed at helping vulnerable citizens meet their nutritional needs while ensuring accurate, data-driven intervention, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s mandate.
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Translator: M. Riezko, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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