By: Dhita Karuniawati*
The Prabowo-Gibran government has launched the Free Health Check-up Program (PKG) to provide healthcare services to all corners of Indonesia. The free health check-up initiative is one of the highly anticipated programs from the Prabowo administration. PKG aims to improve the quality of public health and reduce the burden of preventable diseases.
The free health check-ups cover various diseases that can be prevented through early detection. This program also addresses urgent concerns related to high mortality rates from diseases that could have been prevented.
The target of the Free Health Check-up Program is all Indonesians, from newborns to the elderly. The details are as follows: newborns (2 days old), toddlers (ages 1-6), adults (ages 18-59), and the elderly (starting from age 60).
Citizens celebrating their birthdays are entitled to a free health check-up as a birthday gift from the government. In the initial phase of the program, there will be 10,000 community health centers (puskesmas) and 15,000 clinics. The government targets that approximately 60 million people will benefit from this program in the first phase, with plans to reach over 200 million people in five years. Citizens can get a free health check-up up to 30 days after their birthday, except for newborns who must receive their check-up within 24 hours of birth.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that residents born in January, February, and March can still access the free health check-up services until April 2025.
He provided further details about the program: newborns will undergo six health screenings, toddlers will have eight types of health screenings, and children in elementary school will have 11 screenings. Teenagers in middle school will receive 13 types of health checks, while high school students will undergo 12 screenings. Lastly, adults and the elderly will have access to 19 different health examinations.
The health checks offered under PKG vary widely, including screening for hormone deficiencies, congenital heart disease, nutrition, hearing, eyesight, and blood pressure. For adults and the elderly, the focus will be on stroke, heart disease, cancer, and both mental and physical health.
To make registration easier for the public, the government has developed the “Satu Sehat Mobile” app. Setiaji, the Expert Staff for Health Technology at the Ministry of Health, explained that this app allows people to register without needing to queue at the health centers.
To register, citizens simply need to download the Satu Sehat Mobile app. Once downloaded, they can find the “CKG (Cek Kesehatan Gratis)” feature. Before using this feature, they must fill in their profile. Afterward, they can schedule their health check-up on a date that should fall within 30 days after their birthday. The app also allows users to register family members or children for the same health check-up.
For those who do not use the Satu Sehat Mobile app, registration is also available through WhatsApp at the number 081110500567. The chatbot on this number will guide users in the process of registering for the Free Health Check-up Program.
To ensure the smooth implementation of this program, the Ministry of Health has coordinated with local government officials, from district heads to mayors, governors, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to ensure the success of the Free Health Check-up Program.
Anindya Bakrie, the Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, stated that the PKG program aligns well with Kadin’s role. He mentioned that Kadin has already been conducting routine Medical Check-ups (MCU) at their offices. As such, the PKG is expected to integrate with the existing MCU program.
Meanwhile, Head of Presidential Communications, Hasan Nasbi, emphasized the importance of the PKG as a commitment from the government to provide healthcare services to all Indonesian citizens.
Hasan highlighted that as Indonesia celebrates its 80th anniversary of independence, the country is witnessing a remarkable transformation in the healthcare sector. The PKG program is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen, without exception, can access free health check-ups.
The PKG is part of a significant investment in preventive healthcare, which is expected to reduce the burden of curative healthcare costs. This program also strengthens Indonesia’s healthcare system, bringing it closer to being on par with developed countries in providing equal healthcare services for all citizens.
The government ensures that every Indonesian citizen has equal access to health check-ups. Collaboration between the government and all segments of society is crucial to ensuring that the PKG program reaches all Indonesians, both in urban and remote areas.
The author is a contributor to the Strategic Information Studies Institute
