Strategi Dinas Kesehatan dalam Upaya Mengurangi Angka Stunting di Kota Medan

Abstract

Stunting is a condition of failed growth in children caused by chronic malnutrition, especially during the first 1000 days of life, resulting in a child's height not being appropriate for their age. Medan City remains one of the focal points for stunting prevention in North Sumatra among the 15 districts/cities. Therefore, the prevention and reduction of stunting rates are the responsibility of governmental institutions in Medan City, including the Health Department of Medan City. In the effort to reduce stunting, it is known that the Medan City Health Office faces issues such as programs that have not run smoothly and a lack of human resources in several Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) in Medan. This research is crucial to examine the Health Department's strategies in reducing the stunting rate in Medan City. The purpose of this research is to describe how the Health Department's strategies contribute to reducing the stunting rate in Medan City. The research method used in this study is descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques include interviews, observations, and documentation. The analysis of strategies utilizes Kotten's theory, which includes corporate strategy, program strategy, resource support strategy. The research results indicate that the Health Office's strategies in reducing stunting rates in Medan have been quite effective, as evidenced by the reduction in stunting rates in Medan and the fulfillment of several indicators. For instance, in the organizational strategy to reduce stunting rates, the Medan City Health Office has implemented a cross-sectoral approach involving all related Regional Apparatus Organizations. The program strategies implemented by the Health Office to reduce stunting rates in Medan have had significant benefits, particularly programs targeting pregnant women and toddlers, although some programs from the Medan City Health Office have not yet run smoothly. Regarding resource support strategies, the Medan City Health Office has been optimizing human resources, with adequate quality and competency in stunting reduction strategies. However, there are still shortages and gaps in nutrition experts in several Puskesmas in Medan.