<![CDATA[IntroductionMaintaining halal–tayyib integrity in hospital food supply chains requires coordinated institutional governance that integrates Islamic dietary requirements, food safety, nutritional quality, and patient welfare. However, limited research examines how cooperation between micro, small, and medium enterprises and public hospitals translates these requirements into consistent operational practices.ObjectivesThis study examines cooperation mechanisms between food-supplying enterprises and public hospitals in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia, focusing on institutional responsibilities, procurement governance, halal–tayyib assurance, operational challenges, and strategies for strengthening collaborative supply chain management.MethodA qualitative descriptive approach was employed at Banyumas Regional Public Hospital and Prof. Dr. Margono Soekarjo Regional Public Hospital. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 informants, comprising seven hospital nutrition professionals and eight enterprise suppliers, supplemented by observations and institutional documentation. Thematic analysis and data triangulation were conducted using Stakeholder Theory, Institutional Theory, Supply Chain Management Theory, and the Halal Value Chain framework as complementary analytical perspectives.ResultsThe findings identify structured cooperation through supplier selection, procurement planning, responsibility allocation, coordination, quality inspection, monitoring, and performance evaluation. Halal integrity is maintained through ingredient-source verification, relevant certification, traceability, and contamination prevention. Tayyib requirements encompass hygiene, food safety, nutritional adequacy, and suitability for patients' therapeutic diets. Major challenges include limited availability of halal-certified suppliers, uneven workforce competencies, inadequate institutional coordination, fluctuating food prices, logistical disruptions, and inconsistencies between formal requirements and operational practices.ImplicationsEffective halal–tayyib governance requires integrating regulatory compliance with supplier capacity development, transparent communication, continuous quality monitoring, and shared institutional accountability. These arrangements can inform patient-oriented procurement policies while supporting inclusive participation by local enterprises.Originality/NoveltyThis study contributes context-specific qualitative evidence on halal–tayyib governance in public healthcare procurement. By integrating institutional, stakeholder, and supply chain perspectives, it explains how hospital–supplier cooperation connects Islamic economic principles with operational food integrity, patient welfare, and local enterprise development.]]>
