By: Afdan Syahreza )*
The Indonesian government has demonstrated a strong commitment to guaranteeing the public’s basic right to health services through the implementation of the Free Health Check Program (CKG). This program is a concrete part of the effort to realize a national health system that is inclusive, equitable, and oriented towards disease prevention. As of early November 2025, more than 51 million citizens had participated in this service, exceeding the previously set national target of 50 million participants.
The Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, assessed this achievement as proof that the government is not only targeting participation rates, but also ensuring that all levels of society—including vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities—can enjoy equal access to health services. He explained that the successful implementation of this program cannot be separated from the synergy between ministries, local governments, health facilities, and community support in various regions.
The CKG program is designed not only as a mass examination activity, but as part of a large strategy for transforming the health system that focuses on promotive and preventive aspects. Each examination result is followed up with treatment and health education, so that the public not only understands their health condition but also understands how to maintain their fitness and avoid chronic diseases.
The government uses examination data as a basis for developing more effective health promotion policies, including increasing public literacy on balanced nutrition, dental hygiene, and regular physical activity.
Program monitoring results in various regions show diverse patterns of health problems across age groups. Newborns are often found to suffer from low birth weight and jaundice, while preschool children still face cases of malnutrition and dental caries.
Among school-age children, low physical activity is a major concern, while among adults, the prevalence of obesity reaches around 30 percent, with a tendency towards a sedentary lifestyle. The elderly also frequently face hypertension and mobility disorders. This data provides an important basis for the Ministry of Health in strengthening efforts to detect and treat non-communicable diseases early.
Prof. Dante emphasized the importance of early detection because most chronic diseases appear without initial symptoms. Many cases of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease are only discovered when they are already in a serious condition. With regular checkups, these risks can be significantly reduced. He emphasized that this program also helps people save on future medical costs, as medical intervention is carried out before the disease progresses further.
The government also ensures that this free health service reaches all people without exception. Those who do not have a National Identification Number (NIK) or are not registered with the BPJS (Social Security Agency) are still entitled to medical examinations and treatment, especially in emergencies.
This step emphasizes the principle that health is a right for all citizens, not the exclusive right of certain groups. To support its implementation, the Ministry of Health is increasing the capacity of the national data system from 3 billion to 9 trillion records so that all examination results can be recorded and used as a basis for long-term policy.
The Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Ahmad Muzani, assessed that the free health check-up policy is not merely a technical policy, but a reflection of the state’s commitment to guaranteeing the right to a healthy life for the people. He emphasized that the program has had a real impact on improving the quality of public health in various regions, especially for lower-middle-class groups who previously had difficulty accessing medical services. Free screenings are considered capable of encouraging early disease prevention while ensuring the public receives adequate health services without the burden of costs.
Muzani also believes that this policy is in line with the agenda of developing superior Indonesian human resources. The CKG program plays a crucial role in shaping a productive, physically and mentally healthy, and highly competitive society in the future. The government is considered to have provided a concrete example that health development cannot be separated from the nation’s social and economic development.
Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, also emphasized the importance of community participation in utilizing this program. She highlighted the role of women in maintaining family health, including early detection of diseases such as cervical cancer through free IVA and HPV DNA tests at health facilities. The government, she said, wants to ensure that women no longer feel afraid or taboo about undergoing screening, as prevention is far more effective than treatment.
Through this program, the government is not only addressing public health issues but also building a new culture: a society that is aware, concerned, and active in maintaining its health. With cross-sector collaboration, from medical personnel, educational institutions, social communities, to women’s organizations, the Free Health Check program is expected to become a sustainable national movement.
This achievement proves that the free health policy is not just a political promise, but a form of state responsibility for the welfare of the people. The government has successfully demonstrated that inclusive and equitable public services can be realized through consistent commitment and cooperation from all elements of the nation. In this context, health is no longer seen as a burden, but as a vital investment towards a stronger, healthier, and more competitive future for Indonesia.
)* The author is a Public Policy Observer