Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program initiated by the government has received appreciation from various groups, including academics and health experts. Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Prof. Chandra Yoga Aditama, assessed this program as a long-term investment that will have a positive impact on the development of Indonesian human resources (HR).
In an interview with RRI, Prof. Chandra said that HR is the main capital in building a nation.
‘Basically, building a nation starts from building its people. Therefore, HR development must be the main priority, as stated in Astacita,” he said.
He also emphasized that efforts to improve the quality of HR must be carried out consistently and in a planned manner.
Furthermore, Prof. Chandra explained that there are two main factors in HR development, namely health and education. With good quality health and education, society can achieve various advances in personal life, family, to national and global levels. In this context, nutritious food has a central role in maintaining health and supporting the effectiveness of the education process.
“Nutritious food is an important component of health. One aspect of clean and healthy living behavior is the consumption of nutritious food. If a program like MBG is implemented in schools, it will certainly greatly support the education process of our children,” he explained.
In addition, Prof. Chandra emphasized that the success of this program is highly dependent on its correct and consistent implementation. If managed properly, MBG will be a long-term investment that provides sustainable benefits for future generations. This program not only has an impact on improving the nutritional status of children, but also contributes to creating a healthier, smarter, and more productive generation in the future.
In order for this program to run optimally, support from the community is also an important factor. Active participation of parents, schools, and communities in educating children about the importance of nutritious food will further strengthen the positive impact of MBG. Collective awareness to maintain a healthy diet from an early age will be the foundation for a stronger and more qualified generation in the future.
The government itself has committed to continuing to develop and expand the scope of MBG, with the hope of reaching more school children in various regions. With support from various parties, this program is expected to be able to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of Indonesian human resources, so that they are able to compete on the global stage.
