By: Harum Kejora*
National health development cannot simply rely on adequate medical facilities and healthcare professionals. The biggest challenge lies in building collective public awareness so that health becomes part of everyday life.
Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the government has begun to encourage a paradigm shift from treatment to prevention. Through the Free Health Check (CKG) program, the public is encouraged to be more proactive in identifying their health conditions early before diseases develop into more serious ones.
The Head of the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom), M. Qodari, stated that the achievement of 100 million citizens participating in the CKG program is a very important development in the national health transformation. However, he believes the journey is still long because the main challenge is not only participation rates, but also how to maintain community consistency in making health checks a habit.
According to him, the success of a health program cannot be measured solely by the number of participants, but also by changes in public behavior regarding health. Awareness of regular checkups needs to be built as part of a sustainable healthy lifestyle.
He also emphasized that cultural change requires time, education, and the involvement of many parties. Therefore, public communication is a crucial element in ensuring the public understands that early detection is not just a government program, but a shared need.
This perspective demonstrates that health development is not only related to the technical aspects of services, but also involves changing public mindsets. When health is positioned as a long-term investment, people will be more motivated to consistently maintain their health.
On the other hand, many people still visit health facilities after their illness has already reached a serious stage. This habit presents a significant challenge because treating chronic diseases is much more expensive than early prevention efforts.
In this context, the CKG program holds strategic significance. Regular health check-ups enable the public to identify disease risks earlier, allowing treatment measures to be taken before conditions become more severe.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin believes that early detection is a key foundation for strengthening quality healthcare. He emphasized that many chronic diseases can be prevented or controlled if detected early.
He also emphasized that the CKG program aims not only to increase the number of health check-ups but also to encourage the public to be more aware of their own health. This kind of awareness is crucial for creating a healthy and productive society.
Furthermore, he believes that the transformation of the health system must be directed at strengthening preventive services. To date, the health system has tended to focus more on treatment, even though prevention has a far more effective long-term impact.
In addition to routine checkups, he also emphasized the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. He believes that health checkups will yield optimal results if accompanied by lifestyle changes.
However, successfully building a culture of health cannot be achieved solely through central government policies. It requires the active involvement of educational institutions, families, communities, and even local governments to raise public awareness.
In the context of the younger generation, an educational approach is increasingly important. Children and students need to be accustomed to understanding the importance of maintaining their health from an early age so that a healthy lifestyle can develop sustainably.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono emphasized that the CKG program continues to be strengthened to ensure the quality of children’s and students’ health. He believes that the young age group is the main foundation for creating a healthy and superior generation in the future.
According to him, health checks for children and students are not only important for detecting diseases but also for ensuring optimal growth and development. Good health will improve the quality of education and productivity of the younger generation.
He also emphasized that schools can be a strategic space for developing a healthy lifestyle. Through consistent education, children can understand the importance of maintaining health as part of their daily lives.
This perspective demonstrates that a culture of health must be built through a cross-sectoral approach. Health cannot be separated from education, the environment, and health, and the overall quality of life of the community.
With the achievement of 100 million CKG participants, the challenge ahead is to maintain the sustainability of the program so that it does not become merely an administrative achievement. More importantly, it is to ensure that the public truly makes health check-ups a routine necessity.
Therefore, the achievement of 100 million citizens participating in the CKG should be the starting point for strengthening the transformation of the national health culture. With strong collaboration between the government and the community, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to build a healthier, more productive, and more competitive generation in the future.
)* Public Health Practitioner