INFLUENCE OF COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE DYNAMICS ON STUNTING PREVENTION AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE EAST NUSA TENGGARA, INDONESIA

Abstract

The Indonesian government has planned to improve human resources with one of the indicators being a decrease in the prevalence of stunting.  However, during the implementation of policies related to COVID-19, stunting prevention in Indonesia experienced various challenges from several sectors.  Based on the results of the Indonesian nutrition study in 2021, the stunting rate in Indonesia was still 24.4%, with East Nusa Tenggara Province as the highest prevalence area, at 37.8%.  There are two stunting prevention interventions that have been implemented in Indonesia, namely specific and sensitive interventions.  Collaborative governance is needed in implementing both interventions.  This study aimed to describe the role of collaborative governance in handling stunting in East Nusa Tenggara Province.  This qualitative research used an in-depth interview method and informant triangulation with government and non-government agencies in East Nusa Tenggara Province, namely (1) Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of East Nusa Tenggara Province, (2) Family Planning Agency, Youth and Toddler Family Development, National Population and Family Planning Board of East Nusa Tenggara Province, (3) Office of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of East Nusa Tenggara Province, (4) Office of Agriculture and Food Security of East Nusa Tenggara Province, (5) Family Welfare Empowerment of East Nusa Tenggara Province, (6) Oesapa Community Health Center, (7) Health and Civil Registration Office of East Nusa Tenggara Province and (8) Non Governance Organization Save the Children.  Based on the information obtained from the interviews, East Nusa Tenggara Province is still taking convergence actions to accelerate the reduction of stunting prevalence in the area.  This cross-sectoral involvement is further strengthened by the East Nusa Tenggara Governor’s Decree on the establishment of the Commission for the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction.  Therefore, there is a need for optimization in convergence actions between sectors, so as to achieve the expected stunting reduction target.