BOGOR – A delegation from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI), Singapore, visited the National Center for Mental Health (PKJN) Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital on Wednesday (September 17, 2025). The visit aimed to gain insights into how Indonesia’s leading mental health hospital develops and delivers community-based mental health services.
Led by Dr. Anne-Claire Stona, Lead for Global Mental Health, the SDGHI team observed two flagship innovations at RS Marzoeki Mahdi: the Si Opa (Strategi Optimalisasi Advokasi) program and the D’Patens 24, a 24-hour mental health hotline. Both initiatives are designed to expand access to mental health care beyond hospital walls.
Dr. dr. Nova Riyanti Yusuf, Sp.KJ, President Director of PKJN RS Marzoeki Mahdi, highlighted that the concept of social prescribing has long been applied in the hospital’s programs.
“Social prescribing includes services like hotlines, outreach programs such as Si Opa, and activities like music or cooking therapy. These are not covered by BPJS insurance but are essential to supporting mental health in the community,” she explained.
She added that SDGHI’s interest aligns with RS Marzoeki Mahdi’s ongoing efforts in digital mental health and low-cost community-based mental health services.
Dr. Anne-Claire Stona praised the hospital’s transformative approach to mental health care in Indonesia.
“What impressed me most is how RS Marzoeki Mahdi lowers the barriers for communities to access mental health services—whether through hotlines or direct outreach and advocacy,” she said.
Professor Lee Kheng Hock, another member of the SDGHI team, also expressed admiration for the hospital’s proactive community engagement.
“Instead of only serving inpatient cases, you reach out directly to the community and enhance mental health services around the hospital. The focus on outreach and 24-hour consultation is truly remarkable,” he stated.
The visit concluded with a discussion session and a field tour, where the SDGHI team witnessed firsthand how the community-based programs were implemented. Both institutions expressed optimism about future collaborations to strengthen inclusive, accessible, and sustainable mental health care. (PR/R)