By: Abdul Razak*
The government continues to strengthen the transformation of national health services through the Free Health Check Program (CKG) as a proactive measure to ensure equitable, quality healthcare for all Indonesians. The program, which has reached 100 million people, demonstrates the country’s commitment to building a more preventative, inclusive, and accessible healthcare system, even in remote areas.
Amid increasingly complex public health challenges, a promotive and preventive approach is urgently needed. Currently, some people tend to visit healthcare facilities when their condition is already quite severe. Through the CKG, the government seeks to change this pattern by encouraging the public to undergo regular health checks to detect diseases early.
The Head of the Indonesian Government Communications Agency (Bakom), M Qodari, explained that the achievement of 100 million participants demonstrates the high level of public enthusiasm for the program. According to him, the implementation of the CKG, which involves more than 10,000 community health centers (Puskesmas) throughout Indonesia, has laid an important foundation for expanding access to national healthcare services.
Throughout 2025, the Community-Based Health Program (CKG) served more than 70 million participants. By early May 2026, that number had increased by more than 30 million, bringing the total number of Indonesians receiving CKG services to 100 million.
Qodari emphasized that the government would continue and expand the program’s scope to ensure that the benefits of health services could be enjoyed by all levels of society without financial constraints. The success of the CKG is seen as concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare at the grassroots level.
The CKG’s presence is also considered successful in strengthening early detection efforts for various diseases. With routine health checks, the government can identify vulnerable groups more quickly, allowing for targeted medical interventions. This approach not only helps reduce disease rates but also reduces the long-term burden of healthcare costs.
The program’s positive impact is beginning to be seen in various regions. The Head of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Health Office, Lalu Hamzi Fikri, stated that the massive implementation of the CKG has helped accelerate the reduction of stunting rates and strengthened tuberculosis (TB) management.
The results of a central-level evaluation in the first quarter of 2026 showed that the stunting prevalence rate in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) decreased significantly to 12.88 percent. This achievement is significantly better than the set target of 17.5 percent.
According to Hamzi, this achievement demonstrates that a preventive approach through regular health checks can improve the overall quality of public health. Early detection also makes it easier for local governments to intervene more quickly in groups requiring special treatment.
On the other hand, challenges in program implementation remain in several regions. The Temanggung Regency Health Office, Central Java, for example, continues to accelerate the implementation of the CKG (Center for Child Health Assessment) program, as the program has only reached around 40 percent of the total target of over 820,000 people.
The Head of the Temanggung Health Office, Dr. Intan Pandanwangi, stated that low public participation is a major obstacle. Many residents are still afraid to undergo health checks for fear of discovering certain diseases.
According to Dr. Intan, some people are still reluctant to undergo health checks for fear of discovering their own diseases. The local government continues to address this situation through more intensive public education.
In fact, the results of the examinations conducted actually demonstrate the importance of early detection. The Temanggung Health Office has found an increase in cases of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension, which are increasingly being found among young people and students.
Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the most common diseases. High consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy diets among young people are considered the main factors behind the increase.
The local government continues to strive to increase service coverage to achieve the health screening target. The Temanggung Health Office is targeting a 56 percent increase in coverage by 2026, in line with the Central Java Provincial Government’s target. The public is also encouraged not to wait for birthdays to utilize the CKG service, as examinations can be performed directly at community health centers (Puskesmas).
The same enthusiasm is also evident in Cilegon City. The Head of the Cilegon City Health Office, Dr. Ratih Purnamasari, encouraged the public to actively participate in the CKG program, which began in February 2025. According to her, the program is an important part of expanding access to easily accessible health services for the public.
Drg. Ratih stated that public enthusiasm for the CKG program is quite high, but participation still needs to be increased so that more residents can benefit from free health services.
She explained that the local government has made various preparations, from mapping to providing supporting facilities to ensure the program runs optimally. In addition to the general CKG, the government is also preparing health check-up programs for schools and pregnant women as a step to expand public health protection.
Through a proactive approach like the CKG, the government demonstrates that health development is no longer solely oriented towards treatment, but also towards prevention and equitable service provision. If public participation continues to increase, this program has the potential to become a strong foundation for creating a healthier, more productive Indonesian society with a better quality of life in the future.
)* Policy Analyst