Strengthening the Local Government's Regulation as Entry Point for introduction of Multiple Micro-nutrients Supplementation Program: An Implementation Study in Indonesia

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to explore any possible regulations which are generated by the Local Governments to strengthening the MMS program in Indonesia. METHODS: The implementation research was conducted in 6 Districts in Indonesia, using qualitative approach completed with problem solving. A multi-sector approach was done to identify the health problems and how the existing programs were performed. The MMS was distributed in 6 Disricts area as a part of local government's program on stunting reduction acceleration as well as maternal mortality reduction, since 2019. The MMS was provided by Vitamin Angels & Kirk Humanitarian. Simultaneous with the distribution of MMS, we identify the regulations which were generated by Local Government. The evaluation of the effectiveness of MMS intervention and the availability of government's regulation was conducting on September – December 2021. RESULTS: The six districts where our study conducted are categorized as focus location of stunting reduction program determined by the Indonesian Government. All of districts has programs priority on stunting reduction acceleration. In this context, MMS was adopted by local government (District Health Office) as complementary program of IFA in routine antenatal care and preconception services. All districts generate the regulations related to stunting reduction acceleration, where MMS may play a role as a part of specific intervention. Four of 6 Districts were explicitly explain MMS intervention in the documents, but all Districts committed to use MMS in their program. There are 30–50% reduction of stunting prevalence among 6 districts. CONCLUSIONS: All of districts committed to use the MMS as a part of intervention on stunting reduction, and aware about the important of regulations to a sure the MMS program implementation. FUNDING SOURCES: The Vitamin Angels Alliance, Inc., California, USA.