Soerojo Hospital, Magelang wins at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 for community impact

The SPARK initiative transforms mental health care through asset-based community development (ABCD) approach in Indonesia.

Soerojo Hospital, Magelang won Community Hospital of the Year - Indonesia in the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026.

The hospital launched SPARK (Simple Project for Action and Real Kindness) in early 2023. This collective impact initiative uses the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. SPARK empowers people with mental disabilities and their communities. It shifts focus from patient deficiencies to their strengths, skills, interests, and social values.

Patients gain independence through social relationships and participation. Soerojo Hospital, Magelang works as part of a community ecosystem. The hospital links its assets with those of patients, families, cooperatives, Dharma Wanita, local micro and small enterprises (UMKM), and government agencies. This forms an integrated service ecosystem.

SPARK follows a 5P framework. Problem Awareness identifies issues from service user complaints and needs. Purpose defines problems with data and sets goals that match local resources. Participation engages stakeholders like government, academia, business, media, and cultural groups. Project sets up hospital-based production houses. Patients with mental disabilities manage these houses. They use raw materials from cooperatives, market products through Dharma Wanita and hospital units, and gain support from partners. Policy reflects on results, shares knowledge, and embeds changes in systems for sustainability.

Skills-oriented psychosocial rehabilitation boosts patient independence. Social entrepreneurship and peer support cut relapse rates. Patients show higher self-esteem, stronger social identity, and better community reintegration. Communities see less stigma, more inclusivity, and improved mental health literacy. The hospital delivers holistic services and acts as an empowerment centre.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].