Medan, N. Sumatra. Several students in Karo regency, North Sumatra, are still receiving medical treatment weeks after 256 students were affected by suspected food poisoning linked to Indonesia’s free nutritious meal program at their schools.

One of the students, 16-year-old Feby br Purba, is undergoing outpatient treatment at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital in Medan.

“She is currently undergoing outpatient treatment at Adam Malik Hospital and is being treated by a pediatric specialist,” hospital spokeswoman Rosario Dorothy Simanjuntak said Tuesday.

Feby’s family has said she experienced memory problems after the suspected food poisoning. Her condition was highlighted in a video that circulated widely on social media.

Feby’s father, Purba, also said doctors at Haji Adam Malik Hospital had identified a medical problem that he associated with the earlier incident. The hospital has not publicly confirmed the specific medical finding described by the family.

Another student, Agnesia P br Silitonga, was initially treated after the incident but was taken back to Efarina Hospital several days ago after her condition deteriorated.

Her mother, Fitriani br Sijabat, said doctors had identified a kidney problem and recommended further examination at a hospital in Medan.

Another student, Karissa Zefania br Aritonang, is also undergoing medical examinations after failing to fully recover. According to her family, Karissa had a heart condition before the incident, but her symptoms worsened afterward.

Her parents said Karissa experienced shortness of breath following the suspected food poisoning.

Karissa was examined by a cardiologist at Amanda Hospital and received treatment there for three days. Because her condition had not improved, her family requested a referral to Haji Adam Malik Hospital for further examination.

Meanwhile, another student from State Vocational School 1 Berastagi remained under intensive treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit at Haji Medan Hospital. Hospital officials said her condition had begun to improve.

Hospital officials said the student was being treated after experiencing health problems following the suspected food poisoning.

Investigation finds food-processing lapse

Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the free nutritious meal program, previously said an initial investigation had identified negligence in the handling of fish at the Karo Berastagi Sempajaya Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, or SPPG.

The incident affected 256 students in Berastagi, Karo regency, on Aug. 13.

BGN subsequently suspended the SPPG and removed its head, recommending that the official be dismissed from the civil service.

BGN chief Sudaryono disclosed the preliminary findings after visiting one of the victims at Haji Medan Hospital in Deli Serdang on Aug. 16.

He said hundreds of fish had been stored in a freezer before being removed and left at room temperature for more than 12 hours.

“The preliminary investigation found negligence in the processing. Most of the fish had been placed in a freezer — around 200 to 300 fish — and were then left at room temperature for more than 12 hours,” Sudaryono said.

He urged all SPPG units across Indonesia to strictly follow food-processing and meal-preparation procedures, stressing that the safety of beneficiaries must remain the top priority.

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