BGN Claims Student Death in North Bengkulu Not Related to Free Meal Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, claimed that the death of Fatih, a student at State Elementary School (MIN) 2 North Bengkulu, was not related to consuming the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) menu distributed by the Giri Kencana Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

According to Nanik, the circulating information linking the victim's death to suspected MBG poisoning does not align with the facts on the ground.

"Fatih had not yet consumed the MBG menu from SPPG Giri Kencana when he was found unconscious before being taken to the hospital," Nanik said in an official BGN statement on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Nanik explained that a medical examination revealed a brain hemorrhage during a CT scan at Bhayangkara Hospital. This condition required Fatih to be referred to Tiara Sella Hospital, which has the facilities and equipment to perform neurosurgery.

Initially, Fatih received treatment at Lagita Ketahun Hospital. However, the hospital did not provide intensive care, but only performed emergency measures because the victim's level of consciousness had decreased, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6, indicating a severe and life-threatening brain injury.

After several hospitals in Bengkulu and Padang were contacted, but the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) facilities were full, the victim was finally referred to Bhayangkara Hospital. A CT scan at the hospital revealed a brain hemorrhage.

Requiring further treatment, Fatih was then referred to Tiara Sella Hospital for neurosurgery. He died approximately 12 hours after the operation.

Furthermore, Nanik stated that laboratory tests conducted by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) showed no E. coli bacteria or other indications of contamination in the MBG food samples examined.

"The BPOM test results showed all samples were negative, with no E. coli bacteria, borax, formalin, nitrite, arsenic, cyanide, or other findings suggestive of food poisoning," she said.

She added that of the approximately 1,800 MBG beneficiaries that day, only Fatih experienced health problems. "Of the 1,800 beneficiaries, there have been no reports of similar incidents. This was the only case, and medically, it was found to be a brain hemorrhage," Nanik emphasized.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) expressed its deepest condolences for Fatih's passing and urged the public not to speculate and to await official information based on reliable medical and laboratory examination results.

Read: BGN Suspends 47 Free Meal Kitchens Over Subpar Food Quality

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