By Yulia Rahmah )*
Children’s health is the primary foundation for building the nation’s future. A healthy generation will grow into superior, productive human resources, better able to face the challenges of the times. Therefore, the government’s initiative through the Free School Health Check (CKG) program deserves appreciation as a strategic effort to detect student health issues early on while simultaneously strengthening the quality of national education. This program is not simply a routine checkup, but a significant investment to ensure Indonesian children grow up in good physical and mental health.
The latest findings from the CKG implementation until May 2026 indicate health issues that require collective attention. From screening results of 4,883,890 students in 45,596 schools across Indonesia, the most common health problems identified were cavities (41.5 percent), high blood pressure (22.1 percent), and earwax buildup (8.6 percent). These data demonstrate that basic health issues, often considered trivial, actually have a significant impact on children’s quality of life and development.
The Head of the Government Communications Agency, Muhammad Qodari, emphasized that the School CKG program is an important step by the government to more systematically detect student health issues. The government views health as the primary foundation for developing superior human resources. Through this program, the state is not only striving to maintain student health but also to build a healthier, more productive generation that is ready to face the future.
The fact that cavities are a major health problem demonstrates the low level of awareness of the importance of dental health among children. Dental problems are often considered minor issues, related only to pain or discomfort when eating. However, the impact on dental health is far more serious than imagined. Children with dental health problems tend to have difficulty concentrating while studying, experience a decreased appetite, and even have impaired physical development due to suboptimal nutritional intake.
Furthermore, dental health problems can also trigger more serious health problems. Cardiologist and blood vessel specialist, Dr. Yovi Kurniawati, Sp.JP, Subs.KPed.PJB (K), explained that cavities can serve as a gateway for germs to enter the body through the bloodstream. These germs can then attach to the heart and produce vegetations, a collection of microbes, fibrin, and platelets, on the heart valves. This condition has the potential to cause infective endocarditis, which can lead to heart valve damage.
According to Dr. Yovi, persistent vegetation growth can lead to severe heart valve leakage. Children with this condition typically exhibit symptoms of high fever, shortness of breath, weakness, and a lack of energy. This explanation demonstrates that maintaining dental health is not merely a matter of aesthetics or comfort, but an important part of protecting the health of vital organs from an early age.
Ashabul Kahfi, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), believes that CKG data should not be merely administrative statistics. He believes the government needs to conduct an in-depth mapping of the causes of high blood pressure in children, ranging from high-salt food consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity, learning stress, and family environmental factors. A comprehensive approach is essential so that child health policies are not merely reactive but also address the root of the problem.
This statement is highly relevant to today’s modern lifestyle. Children are increasingly adopting a sedentary lifestyle due to high gadget use and minimal physical activity. Consumption of fast food high in salt and sugar is also increasingly common in schools and homes. If this situation is left unchecked, Indonesia’s young generation faces the potential threat of degenerative diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, from a young age.
Therefore, schools also need to take a greater role as centers for promoting healthy living habits. Ashabul Kahfi emphasized the importance of providing healthier school canteens, increasing student physical activity, incorporating nutrition education into daily learning, and involving parents in monitoring their children’s lifestyles. Health education should not stop in the classroom; it must become a shared culture that is consistently implemented.
The CKG program also demonstrates the importance of preventive measures within the national health system. Many childhood health problems are only discovered when they have already reached a serious stage. With regular screening, potential health problems can be detected early, allowing for effective treatment this will be faster and more targeted.
Synergy is needed between the government, schools, health workers, families, and the community to create an environment that supports optimal child growth and development. Children’s health is a long-term investment for the nation. Healthy children will have better learning abilities, greater competitiveness, and higher productivity in the future. The CKG program has opened the public’s eyes to the fact that basic health issues like cavities should not be taken lightly. By strengthening education, promoting healthy living habits, and targeted interventions, Indonesia can produce a generation that is not only academically intelligent but also physically resilient.
)* The author is a public health observer