Ngantang Health Center Governance Study Uncovers Critical Implementation Gaps in Local Stunting Reduction Efforts
MALANG, Formosa News — A phenomenological research study from Universitas Gajayana Malang reveals that the primary obstacle to accelerating stunting reduction at the primary healthcare level stems from inter-institutional data discrepancies, uneven cross-sector coordination, and local budget constraints rather than a lack of leadership commitment
Background: Addressing Stunting Beyond Clinical Interventions
Stunting prevention remains a top national public health priority in Indonesia
Child stunting is a multidimensional issue caused not only by inadequate nutritional intake and chronic infections, but also by broader social determinants including parenting practices, access to clean water and sanitation, maternal education, and institutional capacity
Methodology: Qualitative Phenomenological Approach
The researchers applied a qualitative phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences, operational perspectives, and systemic challenges faced by key actors managing stunting reduction policies in the field
The investigation was conducted across several stages
- Informant Selection: Using purposive and snowball sampling, the study selected the Head of Puskesmas Ngantang as the primary key informant
. Seven supporting informants provided additional data, including the nutrition program coordinator, family health coordinator, field nutrition officer, a Posyandu healthcare cadre, a Family Welfare Movement (PKK) representative, a local community leader, and a parent of a toddler . - Data Collection: Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews, participatory field observations, and institutional document reviews
. - Data Triangulation and Analysis: Data credibility was verified using source and method triangulation, member checking, and phenomenological reduction to categorize core themes across five public health governance pillars
.
Key Findings: Evaluating the Five Pillars of Health Governance
The study evaluated the operational performance of Puskesmas Ngantang across five fundamental governance pillars
- Leadership Commitment: Demonstrated as the strongest governance pillar
. The Head of Puskesmas Ngantang introduced adaptive community-based initiatives, including the Occupational Health Post (Pos UKK) for farmers, Adolescent Posyandu, and integrated Toddler Family Development (BKB) programs . However, formal parenting education has not yet received the same structural priority as direct nutrition interventions . - Cross-Sector Collaboration: Active partnerships exist with village governments, cadres, PKK teams, and youth organizations
. Nevertheless, collaboration remains irregular, with noticeable variations in commitment and institutional support across different villages . - Integrated Planning: Stunting proposals are routinely submitted through community development planning forums (Musrenbang) at the village and subdistrict levels
. However, limited village budgets and a prevailing administrative preference for physical infrastructure projects frequently suppress public health funding proposals . - Convergence Action and Data Synchronization: Significant data discrepancies exist between stunting figures recorded by the puskesmas, village administrations, and subdistrict offices
. These inconsistencies hinder joint situation analysis, target identification, resource allocation, and program evaluation . - Monitoring and Evaluation: Routine monthly Posyandu growth measurements and reporting mechanisms are operational
. However, the system suffers from reporting delays, varying measurement skills among volunteer cadres, and inconsistent field supervision .
Systemic inhibiting factors include heavy staff workloads due to overlapping administrative duties, delayed disbursement of Health Operational Assistance (BOK) funds, and insufficient continuous training for Posyandu cadres
Real-World Impact and Proposed Governance Model
Rather than creating additional standalone programs, the authors proposed a integrated, managerial-focused governance model to align existing healthcare operations
- Transformational Leadership: Elevating parenting education to equal priority with direct nutrition programs and expanding policy advocacy
. - Routine Cross-Sector Coordination: Institutionalizing regular mini-workshops to align commitment across village governments and community organizations
. - Data-Driven Planning: Utilizing verified, single-source data to back public health proposals during village Musrenbang budget allocations
. - Data Synchronization for Convergence: Merging health center, village, and subdistrict databases into a single verified system to eliminate conflicting target figures
. - Digital Reporting and Cadre Upskilling: Improving measurement accuracy through standardized training and adopting digital reporting platforms for field cadres
.
Author Profiles
- Yosar Haritsar, S.E., M.M. — Lead author and academic in the Master of Management Program at Universitas Gajayana Malang, specializing in public health governance, operational management, and policy implementation analysis
. - Tri Cicik Wijayanti, S.E., M.M. — Co-author and lecturer in the Master of Management Program at Universitas Gajayana Malang, with expertise in human resource management, public sector organizations, and social service strategy
.
Research Source
- Article Title: Health Center Governance in Accelerating Stunting Reduction: A Phenomenological Study on Policy Implementation Gaps at Ngantang Health Center
- Journal: International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS)
- Volume & Pages: Vol. 4, No. 8, 2026: 2215–2224
- Publication Year: 2026 (Accepted: August 31, 2026)
- DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/mwxt4n16 - Official URL:
https://journalijcs.my.id/index.php/ijcs
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