The strict COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns that began in early 2020 resulted in decreased access to food supplies across Indonesia. The West Java Mental Hospital was also affected. While the food supply for hospital patients was secured through an annual contract with suppliers, the same did not hold true for health care workers, the nearby communities, local farmers, and even small businesses, which were all impacted.

To overcome this, the Green Hospital team from the West Java Mental Hospital (WJMH) created a small-scale farm according to green, healthy, and sustainable procurement principles using the fertile land within the hospital area to implement the concept of Kampung Walagri (recovery village). This initiative was a partnership established between hospital staff, recovering patients and the local farmers union (Gapoktan/Gabungan Kelompok Tani Wargi Panggupay), which aimed to use the land to turn it into an organic vegetable farm which was given the name of Kebun Walagri.

As a result of this project, the Kebun Walagri harvest provided additional supplies and income for the hospital’s needs and helped increase the food supply for the surrounding communities. In addition, the farm provided local farmers a source of income and helped with the rehabilitation of patients. It also encouraged community visits that lessened the stigma of psychiatric hospitals.

Read the full story