Dinda Shabrina, Jakarta – The number of students suspected of suffering from food poisoning after consuming free nutritious meals in Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province, continues to rise. As of Thursday, August 28, 2005, preliminary data shows that 427 students have experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and weakness after consuming state-sanctioned free meals at their schools.
The victims suspected of being poisoned by the free nutritious meals come from various schools, ranging from preschool (PAUD) to elementary schools (SD) in Lebong. Among them are students from Integrated Islamic SD Al Azhar, Integrated Islamic PAUD Al Azhar, SD Muhammadiyah 1 A Ujung Tanjung, and integrated islamic kindergarten (TK) Tabeak Kauk.
The students from these schools experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and weakness after consuming meals consisting of noodles, meatballs, vegetables, milk, and eggs on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Subsequently, most of the victims have been receiving treatment at the Regional General Hospital of Lebong since Wednesday morning. The number of food poisoning victims after consuming the free meals being treated at Lebong Hospital continues to rise until today.
Bengkulu Deputy Governor Mian has visited the victims at the hospital. Mian ensures that the provincial government will increase the supply of emergency medicines for the victims.
"I have asked the provincial health department to increase the buffer stock of medicines in Lebong. Although the stock is sufficient for 100 patients in the future, we still add more to anticipate emergency situations," said Mian, as quoted from Antara, on Thursday, August 28.
The Bengkulu government is currently moving quickly to ensure that the treatment runs optimally. "On behalf of Pak Governor, we ensure that everything is handled as best as possible. The government must be present," he said.
Lebong Deputy Regent Bambang Agus Suprabudi said that the main challenge faced since the beginning of victim handling was the limited number of patient beds. "Our main challenge yesterday (Wednesday) was the beds. However, the situation has been resolved. The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has sent additional mattresses for the patients," said Bambang.
The local government hopes that the condition of the hundreds of students who have become victims of mass food poisoning from free nutritious meals can be recovered soon after the additional medicine supply from the province and the support of health facilities from the regency.