KARO | INDATANEWS.COM - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, together with North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, inspected the condition of several students suspected of suffering from food poisoning after consuming meals provided under the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program in Karo Regency, North Sumatra.
Both officials assured that the government would provide the affected students with the best possible medical care until they fully recover. The government will also cover the costs of examinations, treatment, medication and, if necessary, referrals to other hospitals.
Gibran arrived at Efarina Etaham Hospital in Karo Regency on Friday, September 11, 2026. He was welcomed by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution, Karo Regent Antonius Ginting and the management of Efarina Etaham Hospital.
During his visit, Gibran and Bobby Nasution inspected the Karawang ward at Efarina Etaham Hospital, where the affected students were being treated. They visited the patients individually to personally assess their recovery.
The visit also gave the government an opportunity to hear directly from the students' families about their concerns and needs. The students are suspected of having suffered food poisoning after consuming MBG meals on August 13, 2026.
Gibran Assures Full Coverage of Medical Costs
In addition to checking the students' health conditions, Gibran spoke with the patients' parents. Several families described their children's conditions and explained their need for further examinations and medical treatment.
The parents also asked the government for clarity regarding the financing of medical care if their children continued to require treatment after being discharged from the hospital.
Gibran assured the families that the medical expenses would not be imposed on them. The government would cover all medical needs of the affected students until they recovered and were able to return to school.
"I came here to make sure the children recover and can return to school. They should receive the best medical care and the best medicines. I visited each of them and asked what they needed. If a referral to Jakarta or Medan is required, we will make that possible in full," Gibran said.
Gibran also asked about the symptoms the students were still experiencing during their treatment. He instructed the relevant authorities to ensure that all patient needs were followed up and addressed.
"Governor, please make sure that we cover all the costs," Gibran said.
The assurance gave the families confidence that they would not have to worry about the costs of medical examinations or further treatment.
Gibran also offered referrals for patients requiring more advanced medical care. The government could facilitate referrals to hospitals in Medan or Jakarta based on each patient's medical needs.
"Together with the governor, we have ensured that all costs will be covered by the government. We are also giving families the option to decide whether their children should be referred, whether they should receive treatment at a hospital in Medan or even at a hospital in Jakarta," Gibran said at the hospital.
GOVERNMENT TO COVER MEDICAL COSTS: Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka assures that the government will cover the medical expenses of students suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming MBG meals until they fully recover. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Bobby Nasution Orders Continued Care
North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution immediately responded to the various concerns raised by the students' families. He asked the parents about their children's progress and ensured that the regional government would continue monitoring their recovery.
Bobby also instructed the head of the North Sumatra Health Office and relevant authorities to immediately follow up on the patients' needs. These include medical examinations, further treatment and referrals if recommended by the attending doctors.
According to Bobby, the government's focus is not limited to medical treatment while the students remain hospitalized. The North Sumatra provincial government is also paying particular attention to the children's psychological condition following the health problems they experienced after consuming MBG meals.
This attention is important because the experience of falling ill could affect the children's psychological well-being and their process of returning to their normal school routine.
"The students' recovery does not end with medical treatment. The government will continue providing care to ensure that their physical and psychological conditions continue to improve," Bobby said.
The North Sumatra provincial government will subsequently coordinate with the hospital, medical personnel, schools and patients' families to ensure a comprehensive recovery process.
The government is also urging families to report any changes in their children's health conditions so medical personnel can respond immediately if new symptoms emerge.
MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE: North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution responds to concerns raised by the students' families and ensures that the government will provide medical and psychological care for those affected. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Students Continue to Report Health Problems
One of the students suspected of suffering from MBG-related food poisoning, SV, said she continued to experience various health problems. She said she frequently suffered from headaches, shortness of breath and abdominal pain.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, SV received outpatient treatment at Efarina Etaham Hospital, with the costs initially paid by her family. She hopes the government will provide clarity regarding the financing of further medical care following the incident.
"Our hope is that our medical care will be secured and covered. At first, we decided to pay for the treatment ourselves," she said.
In addition to visiting patients at Efarina Etaham Hospital, Gibran and Bobby also visited Agnesia Paruliana br Silitonga, one of the students who allegedly fell ill after consuming meals provided through the MBG program.
The two officials visited Agnesia, who was being treated at Amanda Hospital on Jalan Lintas Desa Korpri in Berastagi, Karo Regency.
During the visit, Gibran again assured the family that the medical treatment would be carried out optimally. He also asked about the availability of the medicines required and urged the family not to worry about the costs of the child's continued treatment.
The government is also offering families the option of having their children treated at a health facility appropriate to their medical conditions. If further treatment is required, patients can be referred to hospitals in Medan or Jakarta.
After checking the patients' conditions, speaking with their families and receiving explanations from the medical team, Gibran and Bobby continued their working visit by attending Friday prayers together.
This marked the end of Vice President Gibran's working visit to Karo Regency. Gibran was then scheduled to return to Jakarta.
The visit underscores the government's attention to students who experienced health problems after consuming MBG meals. The government has assured that the recovery process will not end with hospital treatment but will continue through health monitoring and ongoing care until the students are able to resume their normal activities. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala