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View all search resultsHouse queries TNI plan to distribute free vitamins
On Oct. 1, the Defense Ministry distributed 4.8 million doses of a multivitamin called Vitarma, produced by the Defense Ministry Pharmaceutical Center (Pusfarhan), to around 100 free meal kitchens across Jakarta. The supplements are intended for students and pregnant women who are beneficiaries of the government’s free meals program.
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Students eat lunch on the first day of a free nutritious meal program at SMA 11 state senior high school in East Jakarta on Jan. 6, 2025.
(AFP/Aditya Irawan)
T
he House of Representatives has urged caution as the Defense Ministry moves to distribute 4.8 million doses of multivitamins produced by the Indonesian Military (TNI) through the government’s free nutritious meal program, amid widespread food safety concerns surrounding the initiative.
Nurhadi, a lawmaker from House Commission IX, which oversees health and social security, emphasized that the distribution must be conducted under the strict supervision of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and the Health Ministry.
“Distributing the multivitamins isn’t merely a logistical task; it’s a matter of public safety. Every product that reaches the public must go through rigorous testing, oversight and certification to ensure it poses no health risks,” he said on Tuesday.
“Without proper coordination with the Health Ministry and the BPOM, the well-intentioned efforts could result in serious problems on the ground,” added the Nasdem politician.
Nurhadi called on the Defense Ministry to ensure full transparency and accountability throughout the initiative by openly sharing beneficiary data, enhancing on-the-ground monitoring and ensuring that the distribution of multivitamins is overseen by qualified authorities.
“We must learn from past cases where similar programs resulted in fund misuse and even health problems caused by non-certified products,” Nurhadi explained.
On Oct. 1, the Defense Ministry distributed 4.8 million doses of a multivitamin called Vitarma, produced by the Defense Ministry Pharmaceutical Center (Pusfarhan), to around 100 free meal kitchens across Jakarta. The supplements are intended for students and pregnant women who are beneficiaries of the government’s free meals program.
