Indonesia Launches $28 Billion Free Meal Program to Combat Child Malnutrition
New program aims to provide nutritious meals to 90 million children and pregnant women, but faces skepticism over funding and execution.
Health
Mostly Reliable
Summary
Indonesia's government initiates a $28 billion Free Nutritious Meal program targeting 90 million children and pregnant women to combat malnutrition and stunting. Critics raise concerns about its affordability and potential strain on state finances amid an ambitious goal to achieve an 8% GDP growth. While the initiative aims to enhance child health and farmer incomes, experts warn it could exacerbate fiscal burdens and require careful implementation to avoid misallocation. The program outlines delivering daily meals at no cost to students through newly established kitchens across the nation.
Informed by:
From the Left
The program is a significant step towards addressing child malnutrition and stunting, which affects a considerable portion of Indonesia's children.
President Subianto's initiative reflects a commitment to developing human resources, thus aiming for long-term benefits for the nation.
Despite criticisms regarding affordability, the initiative aims to tackle pressing social issues like poverty and hunger which are critical for the country’s future.
Informed by:
From the Right
Skepticism persists among investors and analysts about the program's financial feasibility and its impact on Indonesia's state finances.
The program might place an unsustainable burden on the government's budget, risking economic growth targets set by the president.
Concerns exist regarding potential misdirection of resources and the challenges of logistics involved in implementing such a widespread program.
Informed by:
Highlights (0)
No highlights available for this story.