By: Wawan Muwarman Santosa )*
People from various circles enthusiastically welcomed the free health check program held by the government and health service partners in several regions of Indonesia. This program not only provides easy access to basic medical services, but also becomes a real form of concern for public health, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, daily laborers, and the underprivileged. In several implementation points in remote villages, the enthusiasm of residents was seen from the long queues since morning to get free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and health consultation services.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dante Saksono Harbuwono said that the free health check program is an important solution in dealing with the obstacle of medical costs which are still quite expensive for some people. Although Indonesia already has a National Health Insurance (JKN) program, in reality there are still many residents who do not understand the procedure, or have not even registered as BPJS participants. This program is an alternative that really helps them to maintain their body condition and detect potentially dangerous diseases early on.
Not only residents, but also health workers involved expressed their satisfaction in being able to participate in activities that have a direct impact on the community. The community was not only examined, but also given an explanation on how to keep blood pressure stable, the importance of light exercise, and the dangers of foods high in salt and sugar. With a direct approach like this, health messages become easier to accept because they are delivered in a friendly and non-patronizing atmosphere.
Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said that the high level of community participation shows that awareness of the importance of health is increasing. In terms of technical implementation, this program is relatively easy for the community to access because it uses a proactive approach. Mobile health service cars or examination tents are prepared at strategic points such as village halls, markets, terminals, and even mosque yards. The medical personnel on duty have also been provided with good communication training so that the service remains friendly, fast, and accurate. Residents do not need to bring a lot of documents or go through complicated bureaucratic processes. Simply bringing their identity cards and coming according to schedule, they can be examined for free.
Although simple and fast, the impact of this program is very large in building a culture of health awareness in the community. Many residents who previously rarely checked themselves finally started to pay attention to their diet and routinely undergo follow-up checks at the health center. In fact, in several places, residents independently formed morning exercise groups, elderly health posts, or blood pressure monitoring communities after participating in this program. This proves that programs that directly touch the basic needs of residents will be more easily accepted and have long-term effects.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, emphasized that the free health check program currently being implemented is part of the government’s efforts to optimize public health services as a whole. This program is part of the Quick Win Best Results Program (PHTC), or Quick Win, which was initiated by President Prabowo Subianto and has been running since February 2025 in all health centers in Indonesia.
Through this program, health checks are provided free of charge to all Indonesian people, from newborns, toddlers, adults, to the elderly. The main objective of this program is to encourage the public to carry out early detection of diseases, so that the risk of complications and mortality due to chronic diseases can be significantly reduced.
The free health check program has received widespread appreciation from the public for its ability to meet the basic needs for affordable and easily accessible medical services. Through a direct approach and without complicated bureaucracy, this program has succeeded in reaching residents from various backgrounds, especially those who live in remote areas or do not have active health insurance. The synergistic implementation between the government, medical personnel, and the community makes this program not only function as a means of early detection of disease, but also as a momentum for fun and participatory health education. More than just medical services, this program has raised collective awareness about the importance of maintaining health from an early age. The enthusiasm of residents, voluntary participation of health workers, and support through social media show that activities like this have a broad and positive social impact. Therefore, the free health check program should be made a routine agenda and included in strategic health planninglong-term society. Equal distribution of health services is not only about facilities, but also the courage to be present directly among the people with simple but impactful services.
)* The author is a student living in Depok
