inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Director General of Primary and Community Health at the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, emphasized the importance of parents' role in ensuring children's nutritional needs outside of the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG).

"Remember that MBG is only one meal for the day, so parents are still responsible for the other two meals for the day. Fulfilling nutrition means providing a sufficient variety of food and sufficient frequency," said Maria on Thursday (1/29/2026).

She emphasized that under the Health Law, the government has the responsibility to fulfill and improve the nutrition of its people, which cannot be done by one party alone, but requires the collaboration of all elements of society.

"What we must do together is ensure that everyone, both the government and the community, including families, are able to provide the nutritional needs of the children. Secondly, all parties must also improve the nutrition of the children. For example, if nutritional needs are met but the child's weight is low, then improvements must be made," explained Maria.

Based on the law, Maria said, if a child's weight remains underweight, nutritional improvement must include supplemental feeding and an examination of the child's condition for certain diseases.

"Parents at home must also pay attention to whether their children are getting enough nutrition. How do you know if it's sufficient? By regularly weighing and measuring," she said.

Maria also emphasized the importance of paying attention to the nutrition of pregnant women because a child's brain development begins in the womb. 

"Around 75 percent of the brain is formed in the womb and completed by the age of three. So, if their nutrition is not met during pregnancy, brain development can be stunted," she further explained.

She also stated that, based on the results of the Free Health Check (CKG), 10 percent of two-year-old children suffer from anemia, or a lack of red blood cells. This means the government still has important work to do to address this issue.

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