Presidential Communication Office: MBG Program Already Running In Baubau

KENDARI - The Presidential Communication Office assesses that the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) launched by President Prabowo Subianto for Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra), has been running since February 2025.

Deputy for Communication and Information Materials of the Presidential Communication Office Muhammad Isra Ramli in Baubau, Saturday, said the program had served 3,500 children in 29 schools in the area.

"It's just that the total kitchen needs for MBG are needed for around 16 kitchens, so this is homework to make about 10 more kitchens, meaning the field staff, the kitchen head, and the nutritionist, who are currently in the process of training in Jakarta," Isra told several media during a visit and direct inspection of the program in Baubau.

A two-day working visit from the Presidential Communication Office in Baubau City (13-14 June 2025) accompanied by Mayor Baubau Yusran Fahim and Deputy Mayor Wa Ode Hamsinah Bolu, also visited the Wajo Health Center, Wolio Health Center, to the MBG Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Sorawolio District, and Baubau Hospital.

Regarding the carrying capacity of the MBG Program, Isra Ramli admitted that although he had not seen the agricultural field, Baubau City should have immediately built many chicken farms, because many children like chicken and eggs.

"Of course this is a job opportunity for MSMEs in Baubau, how much economic potential is so large as long as they want to work and don't be picky about work," he said.

For large programs that are still under monitoring, such as the Free Health Check Program (CKG), he said, based on the results of the review, for supporting facilities in the three existing Puskesmas, Baubau is ready to become the city that carries out the program.

"The city of Baubau has the potential to develop into a city of services in the health sector. Coupled with the enthusiasm of the community, community participation, their enthusiasm for medical treatment to nourish themselves, health checks and so on is very high and that is the potential," said Isra.

The central government, he said, would provide budget support for health services in Baubau City because there are new programs, new targets, and new goals of the government in increasing their carrying capacity.

He said the budget for health is now being increased, although to meet ideal needs it must be gradual.

"Pak Prabowo becomes president for the first period is 5 years, so from year to year it will continue to be improved. Like the big program, besides the community being served through CKG, there is an increase in hospital class. So the hospital from type D is raised to level C. It also means to improve puskesmas facilities. This is a form of state assistance to health workers," he said.