Urgent Action Needed: Indonesia’s Free Meals Program Under Fire as Over 5,000 Schoolchildren Fall Ill

BANDUNG, Indonesia — The Indonesian government is facing pressure to pause President Prabowo Subianto’s free meals program after a food poisoning outbreak affected thousands of schoolchildren. Hospital images show kids in distress, highlighting a serious concern.

Launched in January, the Free Nutritious Meal program aims to combat malnutrition by providing meals to nearly 90 million children and pregnant women. It’s part of Prabowo’s campaign promise and is set to cost $28 billion through 2029.

Since January, about 1,376 food poisoning cases were linked to school meals. This week, the total rose to 4,711, with over 1,000 cases in West Java — the hardest hit area. Dadan Hindayana, head of the National Nutrition Agency, reported that kitchens involved in these cases have been shut down and local health task forces are now monitoring the meals closely.

Hindayana noted that these poisoning incidents are a small fraction of the total meals served over the nine months. “Out of 1 billion meals, 4,711 cases were reported,” he stated, suggesting there’s room for improvement.

However, the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency have cited even higher figures — 5,207 and 5,320 cases, respectively. West Java’s governor, Dedi Mulyadi, reported that more than 470 students became ill after consuming free lunches, with multiple outbreaks affecting hundreds more across the province.

Children have experienced troubling symptoms, including nausea and severe stomach pain. The Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives warns that these reported cases may only represent a fraction of the actual issue. “The reluctance to report cases points to a larger underlying problem,” said Diah Saminarsih, head of the nonprofit group.

Ubaid Matraji from the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network described the program as a failure and urged President Prabowo to suspend it for a thorough review. “Child safety must come before political ambitions,” he emphasized.

As authorities evaluate the situation, Mulyadi stressed the need to prioritize children’s well-being. “We must focus on their care and address the trauma they’ve experienced,” he said.

This incident isn’t just about one program; it reflects broader issues of food safety and health policies in Indonesia. As the government reviews its strategies, experts emphasize the importance of accountability in public health initiatives.



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