By: Andika Pratama )*
The Free Health Check (CKG) program launched by the government since February 2025 has now shown encouraging results. With more than 1.5 million citizens having utilized this service, it is concrete evidence that the state is present to guarantee the health of all Indonesian people. This initiative is not just a symbol of concern, but a real step in strengthening the foundation of public health, encouraging early detection of diseases, and mitigating the burden of long-term medical costs.
As explained by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, this program has reached thousands of Health Centers in 37 provinces. This achievement reflects that the government is trying to provide health services that are not elitist and centralized, but inclusive and spread to remote areas of the country. One of the strengths of this program lies in the preventive spirit that is prioritized. Through regular health checks and free of charge, the public can now recognize potential health problems before these conditions develop into serious diseases.
Data collected from this program shows that the most common diseases found are hypertension and diabetes. This fact indicates the importance of public awareness to routinely check their health. By detecting diseases at an early stage, the burden of medical costs can be reduced, and the quality of life of the community is better maintained. The government also hopes that with the success of this program, the long queues of patients at hospitals, especially BPJS participants with severe symptoms, can be reduced significantly.
CKG has also experienced positive developments in terms of accessibility. Previously only intended for people who were celebrating their birthdays, now the program is open to anyone who wants to check their health. With a quota of 30 people per day per Puskesmas, the community has enough space to access this service regularly and on schedule.
The success of this program cannot be separated from the support of cross-state institutions. Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, said that CKG is concrete evidence of the government’s seriousness in improving the welfare of the people. According to him, this program has become part of the serious discussion in the preparation of the 2025 State Budget (APBN), and is a form of collaboration between the executive and legislative branches in strengthening public health services. He emphasized that CKG is a real solution for the community, especially those who have had difficulty accessing medical services due to financial or geographical constraints.
CKG is also designed based on the community life cycle, including three main schemes, namely birthday CKG, school CKG, and special CKG for pregnant women and toddlers. This approach shows that the government understands the dynamics of the community’s health needs at various stages of life. Thus, health services are no longer reactive, but proactive and structured.
Support for this program also came from the Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Eddy Soeparno. He considered CKG as a vital instrument in strengthening the early detection system for diseases. According to him, this program will have a major impact on improving the quality of life of the community because they will know their health status earlier and can immediately carry out medical intervention if needed. Eddy also emphasized that CKG is a complement to President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to present a government that does not leave a single citizen behind in health matters.
The positive image of the CKG program has even gone beyond national boundaries. WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his appreciation for this initiative. He assessed that preventive measures such as those carried out through CKG are a very effective approach in strengthening the global health system. Recognition from this international institution shows that Indonesia is on the right track in reforming the national health service system.
However, the success of this program is not without challenges. The government needs to ensure that the distribution of services is evenly distributed, not only in big cities, but also in remote areas and underdeveloped regions. Massive socialization and active involvement of local governments are the main keys to encouraging widespread community participation. In addition, increasing the capacity of medical personnel and supporting facilities at Puskesmas must continue to be carried out so that the quality of service remains optimal even though public enthusiasm continues to increase.
The government’s steps in presenting CKG deserve to be appreciated as part of a long-term strategy towards a healthier Indonesia. With an early detection approach, strengthening the referral system, and open access for all levels of society, this program reflects the spirit of social justice in the health sector