Food Security and Food Safety for Healthcare Sustainability in Indonesia

Objective: This research sought to describe the strategies employed to address food security and safety within Indonesian healthcare environments, with a particular emphasis on the principles of sustainable healthcare. In light of the multifaceted challenges presented by climate change, it is imperative for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to not only guarantee the nutritional adequacy of their food services but also to implement rigorous measures to prevent foodborne illnesses. Material and Methods: This qualitative study comprised semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, including healthcare facility managers and nutritionists from seven hospitals and four community healthcare centres (PUSKESMAS). The interviews aimed to gather participants’ insights regarding the role of food security and safety in achieving sustainable healthcare. The data were analysed using NVivo 12 software. Results: Healthcare sustainability depends heavily on ensuring adequate nutrition and preventing food insecurity. However, recent statistics show that only 22.11% of sustainable health facilities meet food security standards, whereas food safety standards are met by 62.1%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that food security plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable healthcare practices. Institutions striving for long-term sustainability appear to prioritise achieving food security as a fundamental objective. These insights underscore the need to incorporate food-related considerations into comprehensive sustainability strategies within the healthcare sector.