Circular Letter of the Regent of Situbondo – District and Village Stunting Discussion

The Circular Letter of the Regent of Situbondo – District and Village Stunting Discussion (Rembuk Stunting) is a pivotal administrative document issued by the Situbondo Regency Government to accelerate efforts in reducing stunting rates across the region. This directive, specified in Circular Letter of the Regent of Situbondo Number: 100.3.4.2/4270/431.401/2024, is addressed directly to the Sub-district Heads (Camat) and Village/Sub-district Heads (Kepala Desa/Lurah) within the Situbondo Regency Administration. The implementation of this discussion is based on Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 72 of 2021 concerning the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction (PPS), and follows up on the Situbondo Regent Regulation Number 46 of 2022 concerning the Authority of Village/Sub-districts in Integrated Stunting Prevention and Reduction. These regulations underscore the crucial role of Stunting Discussion forums across all administrative levels—Provincial, Regency/City, Sub-district, and Village. Fundamentally, the Stunting Discussion serves as a formal declaration of commitment from the government, translating policy into actionable planning and budgeting for PPS programs. This commitment ensures resource allocation is targeted and effective in tackling the complex factors contributing to stunting within the community.

Commitment to Collaborative and Integrated Action

To ensure the successful implementation of the PPS program, the Situbondo Regency Government stresses the necessity of a collaborative approach. The Rembuk Stunting process is designed as a crucial step where the Regency Government works in partnership with the Village Governments. This collaborative synergy aims to optimize the execution of planned intervention activities for stunting prevention and reduction. Success relies on integrated efforts involving all relevant parties: the Regional Apparatus Organizations (Perangkat Daerah) responsible for services, the Village Government, non-governmental sectors/institutions, and the local community. By involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the process ensures that interventions are comprehensive, context-specific, and have strong local ownership, maximizing the overall impact on children’s health and development.

Implementation Guidelines for Sub-district Level Stunting Discussion

The Circular Letter outlines specific requirements for the implementation of the Stunting Discussion at the sub-district level (Kecamatan). Sub-districts are required to conduct these meetings routinely, at least two (2) times within a year, each serving a distinct planning and evaluation purpose:

Sub-district Stunting Discussion I (Planning and Prioritization)

This initial discussion focuses heavily on setting the stage for the next year’s planning cycle:

1. Cross-Sectoral Convergence and Regency Results: The Regency Team for Stunting Reduction Acceleration (TPPS Kabupaten) presents the convergence across sectors and delivers the outcomes of the preceding Regencial stunting discussion.
2. Prioritization Formulation: The Sub-district TPPS Chairman emphasizes formulating priority programs/activities for stunting reduction that must be incorporated into the Village Government Work Plan (RKPDesa) or the Regency Work Plan (RKPD Kabupaten) for the following year.
3. Supporting Material: Other materials related to PPS efforts are presented by relevant Regional Apparatus Organizations, Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), Religious Affairs Offices (KUA), or other associated work units.
4. Village Schedule Finalization: Joint scheduling and agreement on the dates for the subsequent Village-level Stunting Discussion.
5. Joint Commitment: Signing of the Joint Action Commitment to Prevent Stunting.

Sub-district Stunting Discussion II (Budgeting and Proposal Review)

The second discussion focuses on identifying outcomes and finalizing budgetary proposals:

1. Convergence and Priority Programs for Next Budget: The Regency TPPS emphasizes cross-sectoral convergence and outlines the Regional Apparatus Organizations’ priority stunting programs for the subsequent budget year.
2. Identification and Budgeting: Emphasis is placed on identifying the results of stunting discussion programs/activities that have been included in the RKPDesa/RKPD Kabupaten for budgetary preparation in the following year’s Village Budget (APBDes) or Regional Budget (APBD Kabupaten).
3. Supporting Material: Presentation of additional material related to PPS efforts by relevant Regional Apparatus Organizations, Puskesmas, KUA, or other work units.
4. Proposal Prioritization: Discussion and compilation of Priority Activity Proposals (Proposal Discussion) for the subsequent Regencial Stunting Discussion.
5. Formal Administration: Signing of the official minutes of the meeting.
6. Recommendation Submission: Handing over program and activity recommendations to the Sub-district TPPS Chairman.

Implementation Guidelines for Village Level Stunting Discussion

At the Village/Sub-district level, the Stunting Discussion serves as a vital thematic consultative forum, ensuring community participation in planning:

1. Forum Timing and Participants: The discussion must involve the Village Health House (Rumah Desa Sehat), the community, the Village/Sub-district Government, and the Village Consultative Body (BPD). Crucially, it must be held before the Village Assembly (Musyawarah Desa/Kelurahan) or the Village Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbangdesa) for formulating the following year’s development plan.
2. Community Participation: Information/publications regarding the results of focused group discussions must be disseminated before the Village/Sub-district Stunting Discussion is officially held, to encourage active public involvement.
3. Frequency: The village-level discussion must be held at least one (1) time annually. Its timing is fixed: after the Sub-district Stunting Discussion I and before the Sub-district Stunting Discussion II.
4. Core Activities: The main activities include:
   1. Discussion of specific and sensitive intervention program/activity proposals developed during focused discussions.
   2. Discussion and agreement on the priority specific and sensitive nutritional intervention program/activity proposals.
5. Legal Documentation: The agreements reached are documented in Official Minutes, signed by the Village Health House management, community representatives, and the Village/Sub-district Government.
6. Advocacy and Proposal Integration: The final step involves stunting prevention advocacy through the submission of the Stunting Discussion results to the Village/Sub-district Head and/or BPD as a community proposal to be integrated into the Village Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMDesa), RKPDesa/Sub-district Proposals, and/or Village Budget (APBDesa/APBD).

Conclusion

The structured process outlined in the Regent’s Circular Letter transforms the effort to reduce stunting into a unified, transparent, and participatory mechanism across Situbondo Regency. By mandating regular Stunting Discussion meetings and defining clear roles, the regulation ensures that planning, budgeting, and execution of vital health interventions are optimally synergized between local government authorities and the communities they serve. This commitment to continuous planning and evaluation is key to achieving the ultimate goal of significantly lowering stunting prevalence and ensuring better health outcomes for children in Situbondo.