RS Mandaya Royal Puri has officially launched the “Sepiring Harapan” program, an initiative that introduces patient meal menus developed in collaboration with Chef Faisal Esach Rifky, a finalist of MasterChef Indonesia Season 2 and a survivor of stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Patient meals are often associated with bland and monotonous flavors. Through this program, Mandaya introduces a fresh approach by serving meals that are flavorful, creative, and still aligned with clinical nutritional requirements, allowing patients to enjoy a more pleasant dining experience during treatment.
One of the featured menus introduced is Crispy Kale Ayam Pop Rice, a healthy and delicious dish specially designed so patients can enjoy nutritious food that remains appetizing. In addition to Crispy Kale Ayam Pop, Chef Esach also presents two other standout menus: Saikoro Spiced Satay with Salsa and Cajun Butter Rice, and Crab Rice with Savory Sauce.
All menus were developed through close collaboration between Chef Esach and the clinical nutrition doctors and dietitians at RS Mandaya Royal Puri, ensuring that taste is preserved without compromising patients’ specific nutritional needs.
The program launch took place on Saturday (13/12), where visitors had the opportunity to sample the three collaborative menus. The event was further enlivened by the presence of renowned Indonesian chefs such as Maria Irene Susanto (Chef Marinka), Chef Bara, Sisca Soewitomo, and Chef Vindex Tengker, all alumni judges of MasterChef Indonesia.
The Sepiring Harapan program introduces a new approach to inpatient care by offering meals that not only meet medical recommendations but also provide emotional comfort for patients throughout their treatment journey.
“Many patients lose their appetite during therapy, and this is not a trivial issue. Through Sepiring Harapan, we want to show that recovery doesn’t only happen in treatment rooms, but also on the plate. That’s why every dish in this program meets clinical nutrition standards while remaining delicious and enjoyable. We want patients to rediscover the joy of eating through appetizing meals,” said Erwin Suyanto, Public Relations Manager of Mandaya Hospital Group.
Returning as a Survivor, Chef Esach Shares His Story and Inspiration
During the event, Chef Esach also shared his personal journey as a cancer survivor. After being diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and initially undergoing treatment in Malaysia, he ultimately chose RS Mandaya Royal Puri after learning that Mandaya offers treatments comparable to overseas hospitals, with more advanced facilities and more affordable costs.
Chef Esach underwent 12 chemotherapy sessions at Mandaya. After his third chemotherapy session, evaluations showed remarkable progress, with more than half of the cancer cells disappearing. Following the twelfth session, doctors confirmed that his body was free of cancer.
To ensure these results, Mandaya utilized Digital PET Scan, an advanced cancer imaging technology capable of detecting even the smallest remaining cancer cells. The results confirmed that there were no longer any signs of cancer in Chef Esach’s body.
RS Mandaya Royal Puri is equipped with Elekta Versa HD Radiotherapy, brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers, apheresis therapy for blood cancer patients, and Digital PET CT Scan, which was also used to evaluate Chef Esach’s condition.
In addition, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri offers comprehensive cancer services from diagnosis to advanced therapy, including treatments for advanced and end-stage (stage 4) cancer cases. These include Lutetium-177 PSMA for prostate cancer, Iodine-131 for thyroid cancer, HIPEC for advanced colorectal and ovarian cancer with peritoneal spread, Samarium-153 for bone cancer, immunotherapy for breast cancer, TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization) for liver cancer, and HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant) for blood cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
Today, Chef Esach returns to RS Mandaya Royal Puri not as a patient, but as a collaborative partner—bringing inspiration and renewed hope to inpatients through his healthy menu creations in the Sepiring Harapan program.
