By: Naza Arisa *)
The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate strong commitment to improving public health through the launch of the Free Health Checkup (PKG) program. This initiative aims to provide free health screening services to all levels of society, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of making health a basic right that everyone can enjoy.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that this free health checkup service is available to all Indonesians, including those who are not registered as BPJS Kesehatan participants. The government aims to ensure that there are no financial barriers for anyone who wants to regularly check their health status.
The free health checkups will include three main services:
- Health checks for the general public on their birthdays, available at nearby community health centers (puskesmas).
- Health checks for school students at the start of each new academic year.
- Special health checks for pregnant women and toddlers, conducted at integrated health posts (posyandu) and puskesmas.
To support the implementation of this program, the government has prepared a health infrastructure that includes thousands of puskesmas and BPJS Kesehatan partner clinics across Indonesia. The Ministry of Health has also ensured that healthcare workers are ready to provide optimal services to the community.
Although BPJS Kesehatan membership is not a requirement, the government encourages people to become active BPJS Kesehatan members. Director-General of Primary and Community Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, emphasized that active membership will make referral and medical handling processes easier if a health issue is detected during the checkup. In such cases, BPJS Kesehatan can help reduce medical treatment costs.
As a proactive measure, the government has introduced a reminder feature through the Satu Sehat Mobile app. This feature will send a notification 30 days before the user’s birthday, which is also the ideal time to ensure BPJS Kesehatan membership is active. With this reminder, the public is expected to be more prepared to take advantage of this free healthcare service without administrative hurdles.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, stated that technical preparations, including target data, infrastructure, and human resources, have been carefully planned. The government has also collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Dukcapil and BPJS Kesehatan to ensure data synergy, which will form the basis for the implementation of the program.
Pratikno stressed the importance of solid orchestration between various parties, from related ministries and regional governments to village-level officials. To strengthen this coordination, the government is considering issuing a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) to accelerate and expand the implementation of PKG.
The government’s success in implementing the COVID-19 vaccination program serves as an inspiration for rolling out the PKG. The approach involving the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), as well as direct involvement in remote areas, is seen as an effective method that can be applied once again. The government is committed to ensuring that this health service reaches all members of society, including those in the most remote parts of the country.
As part of a long-term effort, the government hopes the PKG program will serve as the foundation for creating a healthier and more productive generation. By providing easy and free access to health checkups, the public is expected to be more proactive in maintaining their health from an early age.
This government initiative is not only a tangible proof of its attention to public health but also an implementation of the constitutional mandate to protect all Indonesian citizens. The PKG program is expected to not only provide immediate benefits in early detection of health issues but also raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining health as part of everyday life.
In the implementation of PKG, the government is also partnering with private sector entities to support the provision of medical equipment and diagnostic technology. These partnerships are expected to expand reach and improve the quality of services provided. With strong cooperation between the government and the private sector, optimal healthcare services can be more easily realized.
Furthermore, health education is an integral part of this program. The government, through the Ministry of Health, will conduct health education campaigns in various regions, including remote areas. These campaigns will cover the importance of healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, and the benefits of regular health checkups. With a better understanding, the public is expected to become more active in maintaining their health.
The government is also paying special attention to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Special services will be provided for them to ensure that all segments of society can access health checkups comfortably and easily. Health workers will be specifically trained to handle these groups with a friendly and inclusive approach.
In the long run, the PKG program is expected to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for all Indonesians. As more people become aware of the importance of regular health checkups, the prevalence of various diseases can be reduced. This will have a positive impact on national productivity.
*) The author is a contributor at Jendela Baca Institute
