Health and Sustainability: The Success Story of Reducing Deforestation through Healthcare in West Kalimantan

Between 1985 and 2001, more than 60% of protected lowland forests in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, were lost to illegal logging. This trend was alarming and prompted the non-profit organization Health in Harmony to investigate the reasons behind it. Through consultation with local communities, they discovered that many people turned to illegal logging as a means of paying for healthcare costs. These costs included expenses for healthcare services, transportation to access these services, food and housing, and loss of income while unable to work due to illness.

To address the community’s needs and protect the forests, Health in Harmony partnered with the district government and national park management to establish a local health clinic in 2007. The clinic accepted non-cash payments such as seedlings and handicrafts and provided discounts on care based on the volume of logging in a patient’s community. In addition, conservation programs were implemented, and educational activities and training on sustainable livelihoods were offered to create long-lasting impact.

These efforts proved successful as over 28,400 people were able to access healthcare services at the clinic, deforestation was reduced by 70%, illustrating the potential for climate change mitigation positively impacting health across various sectors. By implementing similar initiatives on a larger scale, governments have an opportunity to secure a sustainable future for all while also improving health outcomes for their communities.