JAKARTA – The government continues to strengthen its promotive and preventive approach in the health sector through the Free Health Check Program (CKG) as a strategic effort to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining good health from an early age. This program focuses not only on detecting non-communicable diseases but also expands to address infectious diseases, which remain a serious challenge in Indonesia.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced that leprosy screening would be officially included in the Leprosy Prevention and Control (CKG) Program starting in 2026. This policy is seen as a concrete step by the government to accelerate leprosy elimination efforts through broader and more structured early detection.
“We’ll just make a few changes to the content. Previously, there was no leprosy screening, but now we’re introducing it starting this year,” Budi said in Jakarta.
According to the Minister of Health, although leprosy is a disease with a relatively low transmission rate, the government remains actively committed to detecting cases as early as possible so that sufferers can receive prompt treatment. The number of leprosy sufferers in Indonesia is currently recorded at around 13,000 to 15,000, but this figure is believed to still not reflect the actual situation on the ground.
“We must actively identify sufferers. If we find them, we immediately treat them until they are cured,” he stressed.
As a form of encouragement for regions, the Ministry of Health will also award regional heads and community health centers (Puskesmas) that successfully identify the most leprosy cases in their areas. This step is expected to promote transparency and eliminate fear of reporting cases.
In addition to integrating leprosy screening into the CKG, the government is also strengthening detection through PCR testing, particularly in eastern Indonesia. The government ensures that all leprosy patients receive complete treatment over six to 12 months, along with prophylaxis for family members and close contacts to break the chain of transmission. Indonesia is targeting national leprosy elimination by 2030.
Similarly, the Executive Director of The Habibie Center, Mohammad Hasan Ansori, emphasized that the leprosy problem is not only related to medical aspects, but also has strong social and economic dimensions.
“The success of the government’s health policy through the CKG requires cross-sector collaboration to sustainably reduce the impact of stigma,” said Hasan Ansori.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of The Habibie Center, Ilham Akbar Habibie, noted that Indonesia remains in the top three global leprosy cases, along with India and Brazil. He argued that this situation demands a more comprehensive approach.
“Eradicating leprosy cannot be done solely through a medical approach. We also need social and religious approaches to eliminate discrimination against people with leprosy,” explained Ilham.
The implementation of the CKG program has also shown tangible impact in the regions. The South Lampung Regency Health Office, for example, has screened 16,694 pregnant women through the CKG as an effort to prevent vertical transmission of hepatitis from mother to child. In the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the Yogyakarta City Health Office emphasized the importance of implementing the CKG at least once a year. However, the local government acknowledged that it still faces challenges such as low public participation due to stigma and fear of disclosing one’s health status.
By expanding service coverage and strengthening public education, the CKG Program is expected to become a strong foundation in building a culture of health awareness, encouraging early detection, and reducing the burden of disease in the future.