IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN PERATURAN BUPATI NO 52 TAHUN 2020 TENTANG PENCEGAHAN STUNTING DI KABUPATEN REMBANG”

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of the Rembang Regent Regulation No. 52 of 2020 concerning stunting prevention in Rembang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Stunting, a consequence of chronic malnutrition during the first 1000 days of life, remains a critical public health issue that affects children's physical and cognitive development. Despite national and local government efforts, including the Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021 and the regional Rembang Regent Regulation, stunting rates remain high. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze the policy’s implementation, identifying both enabling and hindering factors. Key challenges include the misallocation of food aid, insufficient access to clean water, and limited community understanding of stunting’s multifaceted causes. Additionally, slow budget disbursement hampers the full realization of allocated funds. The study is guided by George C. Edwards III’s policy implementation framework, focusing on communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucracy. Findings suggest that while coordination between sectors is improving, barriers in communication, resource allocation, and execution efficiency persist. The study recommends enhancing the precision of aid distribution, improving infrastructure, accelerating budget disbursement, and expanding outreach through traditional media to better inform underserved communities. Keywords: Government coordination, policy implementation, public health, Rembang Regency, stunting prevention.