The study, published in 2026 in the Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics, highlights how hospitals are among the most resource-intensive institutions. Operating 24 hours a day, hospitals consume large amounts of electricity, water, medical equipment, air conditioning, and other operational resources that significantly contribute to environmental impacts.
According to the researchers, the healthcare sector faces a major paradox. Hospitals are designed to protect human health, yet their operations can also generate pollution, emissions, hazardous waste, and excessive energy consumption that indirectly harm public health and the environment.
For that reason, the concept of a green hospital is no longer viewed as a temporary managerial trend. Instead, it is increasingly considered an ethical and strategic necessity for sustainable healthcare systems.
The research reviewed scientific studies, national policy documents, and reports from the World Health Organization published between 2021 and 2026. A total of 11 scientific articles and three official policy documents were analyzed to examine the progress, barriers, and future direction of green hospital implementation in Indonesia.
The findings show that waste management remains the most dominant aspect of green hospital practices in Indonesia. Many hospitals have started by improving medical and non-medical waste segregation, wastewater treatment, and sanitation systems.
Energy efficiency and water conservation are also widely adopted because they provide immediate financial benefits. Hospitals that reduce electricity consumption, repair water leaks, install efficient equipment, and monitor utility usage are able to lower operational costs significantly.
The study highlighted several hospitals that have demonstrated notable progress. RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, for example, fulfilled 84.9 percent of the assessed green hospital indicators, especially in areas such as building management, water efficiency, food processing, and indoor air quality. However, researchers noted that detailed energy monitoring systems still need improvement.
Meanwhile, RSUD Rokan Hulu and RSUD Koja continue to face challenges related to wastewater treatment technology, water reuse systems, and the integration of environmental programs into hospital management structures.
The researchers found that green hospital implementation in Indonesia remains largely partial rather than systemic. In many hospitals, sustainability initiatives are still treated as additional projects instead of being fully integrated into governance and operational systems.
“Leadership is the structural foundation for green hospital implementation,” the authors explained. They emphasized that successful environmental transformation depends not only on technology, but also on institutional commitment, policy integration, and organizational culture.
The study also stressed the importance of behavioral change among hospital employees. Simple daily practices such as turning off unused equipment, conserving water, sorting waste correctly, and reducing paper use play a major role in ensuring long-term sustainability.
Organizational support was identified as another critical factor. Training programs, internal communication, staff participation, and environmental reward systems were found to strengthen employee engagement and support sustainable hospital practices.
Despite the progress, the study identified several major barriers slowing implementation in Indonesia. These include limited funding for initial investments, weak coordination between departments, the absence of national model hospitals, inadequate monitoring systems, and the lack of a strong organizational culture supporting sustainability.
Many hospitals still perceive environmental initiatives as additional expenses rather than long-term investments. According to the study, this mindset often prevents institutions from making larger structural changes.
In reality, green hospitals can generate both economic and reputational benefits. Efficient use of energy and water reduces operational costs, while proper waste management lowers environmental risks and improves institutional credibility.
The researchers also noted that healthier hospital environments can improve patient comfort, employee productivity, and the overall quality of healthcare services.
Beyond operational benefits, environmentally responsible hospitals may also gain stronger public trust. As awareness of climate change and sustainability continues to grow, hospitals that demonstrate environmental responsibility could strengthen their competitiveness and public image.
The study further emphasized the need for stronger national policies. Researchers argued that the Indonesian government should establish more operational sustainability indicators, create national model hospitals, strengthen benchmarking systems, and provide incentives for healthcare facilities that successfully implement green practices.
Policy frameworks introduced by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health in 2025 and guidance from the WHO in 2024 have already started encouraging hospitals to become more climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable. However, implementation capacity still varies greatly between hospitals.
According to the study, the future of green hospitals in Indonesia will largely depend on whether sustainability becomes fully integrated into hospital governance rather than remaining a separate environmental program.
If sustainability principles are embedded into planning, procurement, operations, accreditation, and performance evaluation systems, hospitals could become more resilient, efficient, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable institutions.
Author Profile
Ade Triansyah is an academic from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu whose research focuses on hospital management and environmental health. The study was conducted together with Eka Widya Citra, Benny Tumbelaka, Andy Khalidah Lemba, Adisscka Beti Stevani, Irani Nur Ramadhani, and Nurhafida.
Research Source
Triansyah, A., Citra, E.W., Tumbelaka, B., Lemba, A.K., Stevani, A.B., Ramadhani, I.N., and Nurhafida. “Green Hospital Implementation in Indonesia: A Literature Review.” Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics (AJHA), Vol. 5 No. 1, 2026.
0 Komentar