Peran Pemerintah Desa dalam Pencegahan Stunting di Desa Ombolata Sawo Kecamatan Sawo Kabupaten Nias Utara

Abstract

Stunting merupakan kondisi gagal tumbuh pada anak yang disebabkan oleh kekurangan gizi kronis, yang secara signifikan berdampak buruk pada perkembangan fisik dan kognitif, serta menurunkan produktivitas anak di masa depan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji peran pemerintah dalam upaya pencegahan stunting di Desa Ombolata Sawo, Kecamatan Sawo, Kabupaten Nias Utara. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif, dengan pengumpulan data melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi langsung, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Pemerintah Desa Ombolata Sawo memiliki peran penting dalam pencegahan stunting, namun peran tersebut belum dilaksanakan secara optimal. Beberapa hambatan utama yang diidentifikasi meliputi keterbatasan sumber daya manusia, alokasi anggaran yang belum memadai, serta ketiadaan regulasi atau kebijakan yang secara khusus mendukung upaya pencegahan stunting di tingkat desa. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini merekomendasikan peningkatan alokasi anggaran desa untuk program pencegahan stunting, penguatan kapasitas sumber daya manusia melalui pelatihan dan pendampingan, serta kebijakan dan regulasi yang jelas dan terarah dalam mendukung upaya pencegahan stunting di tingkat desa. Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in children caused by chronic malnutrition, which has a significant negative impact on physical and cognitive development, as well as reducing children's future productivity. This research aims to examine the government's role in efforts to prevent stunting in Ombolata Sawo Village, Sawo District, North Nias Regency. The research method used is a qualitative approach, with data collection through in-depth interviews, direct observation and documentation. The research results show that the Ombolata Sawo Village Government has an important role in preventing stunting, but this role has not been implemented optimally. Some of the main obstacles identified include limited human resources, inadequate budget allocation, and the absence of regulations or policies that specifically support stunting prevention efforts at the village level. Therefore, this research recommends increasing village budget allocations for stunting prevention programs, strengthening human resource capacity through training and mentoring, as well as clear and targeted policies and regulations to support stunting prevention efforts at the village level.