By: Sesilia Putri )*
The government continues to strengthen its commitment to improving the quality of public health by expanding access to free health check services. This program is designed to ensure that all Indonesian people, without exception, receive quality health services without being burdened by examination costs. Through this policy, the government wants to emphasize that health is a fundamental right of every citizen that must be guaranteed by the state.
As part of the President’s Asta Cita vision, this program was launched with the main objective of providing wider access to preventive health services. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), explained that this service is a concrete manifestation of the state’s efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive health system. According to him, there are still many people who are not aware of the importance of regular health checks, so the presence of this program is expected to increase this awareness.
AHY emphasized that this free check is open to all BPJS Kesehatan cardholders and can be accessed at the nearest health facility. For the initial stage, this service is available at main health centers in various cities, and will gradually be expanded to assistant health centers throughout Indonesia. The government ensures that the designated health facilities are ready to provide optimal services with competent medical personnel and adequate infrastructure.
This program is also supported by technological innovation through the Satu Sehat Mobile application that allows people to register and get information about health services online. For residents who experience problems using the application, medical personnel at the health center will be ready to assist the registration process so that this service can be enjoyed by the entire community without technical obstacles.
The government’s seriousness in ensuring that this program runs well can be seen from the steps taken by the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) which continues to evaluate its implementation in all regions, including areas outside Java. Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, emphasized that equal access to health services is a top priority, so that there is no disparity between urban and rural areas. He also said that the government’s target is to reach 100 million participants in this program, with at least 50 percent of the target being achieved in the near future.
The government is also designing the program to cover various groups of people with different health needs. One strategy that will be implemented is free health checks for school students, which is expected to start in July.
In addition, this service is also intended for pregnant women and toddlers as part of early prevention efforts against various health problems. This program is packaged in several schemes, such as re-examinations that provide services for children aged 0-6 years and adults aged 18 years and over, which are carried out in health facilities that have collaborated with the government.
To ensure the success of this program, the government continues to coordinate with various parties, including local governments, medical personnel, and other related agencies. Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Alifudin, emphasized that the readiness of health infrastructure in the field is the main key for this program to run smoothly. He also reminded the importance of effective socialization so that the public understands the benefits of this service and can utilize it optimally.
The government realizes that this program must not only run in the short term, but must also be part of a sustainable long-term policy. Therefore, the government continues to evaluate to improve the coverage and quality of services provided. This step aims to ensure that this free health check program remains relevant and can provide maximum benefits to the wider community.
As a concrete form of the government’s commitment to strengthening the national health sector, a budget of Rp3.2 trillion has been allocated from the 2025 State Budget to support this program. The funds will be used to ensure the availability of facilities, health workers, and various other needs required in the implementation of this free health service. With adequate budget support, it is hoped that this program can run smoothly and provide a significant positive impact on the community.
In addition to providing direct benefits to individuals, the program also has a broad economic impact. With increasing public awareness to carry out regular health checks, the risk of diseases that require high medical costs can be minimized. This not only reduces the financial burden on individuals, but also reduces the pressure on the national health system. With more and more healthy and productive people, the positive impact on national economic growth will also be increasingly felt.
As a major step in the transformation of the national health system, this free health check for all is expected to be an important milestone in creating a healthier and more prosperous society. With this program, the government has shown its seriousness in ensuring that every citizen has access to proper health care, without cost barriers. In the future, this policy will continue to be developed so that it can reach more people and provide greater benefits for all Indonesian people.
)* Public policy observer
