RADAR BLITAR – Blitar nutrition centers now operate across all 22 districts of the East Java regency after the final four subdistricts gained facilities, local officials said.
Authorities recently confirmed new Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) units in Doko, Bakung, Kesamben, and Binangun. As a result, nutrition services have reached full regional coverage for the first time.
Blitar Regency Secretary Khusna Lindarti said 80 nutrition centers currently operate, while another 22 units remain under construction.
She explained that SPPG data often changes because officials compile reports from subdistrict administrators and local operators. The latest verified count came from field reports submitted at the end of last week.
“Numbers can rise or fall because we rely on reports from subdistrict heads and SPPG coordinators. The data we present reflects the most recent update,” she said at the Pendapa Sasana Adhi Praja government hall.
Earlier this year, the Blitar regent noted that SPPG facilities remained concentrated in certain areas while remote districts lacked access. January data showed four districts without nutrition centers.
Those gaps included Doko, Binangun, Bakung, and Kesamben. However, construction has since begun in all four locations to support Indonesia’s free nutritious meal program.
“At the time of the January data, four districts still had no SPPG. Recently, construction has started in those areas,” Lindarti said.
Lindarti added that limited information access complicates data updates for the regional nutrition task force. Subdistrict offices do not always have direct access to the National Nutrition Agency system, which can delay reporting.
Nevertheless, the Blitar government continues coordinating to ensure equal distribution of nutrition centers, especially in rural areas. Officials say equitable access remains essential so all residents can benefit from nutrition services.
“We keep pushing for even distribution so services do not remain concentrated in certain regions,” she said.