Jakarta – In an effort to improve the quality of health services throughout the region, the government has launched a program to accelerate the equalization of free health facilities. This program aims to ensure that every community, regardless of economic or geographic background, has access to decent and quality health services.
Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian and regional governments (pemda) support the implementation of the free health check-up (PKG) program for people celebrating their birthdays. The PKG program aims to maintain public health while maximizing the potential demographic bonus that Indonesia has.
According to Tito, improving the quality of human resources (HR) is one of the main focuses in the Asta Cita program that has been initiated by President Prabowo. To ensure the success of this program, the Minister of Home Affairs emphasized the importance of the active role of the regional government.
“The PKG program cannot run optimally if it only relies on the central government. The regional government needs to actively support this program,” said Tito. As a concrete step, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a circular regulating the various forms of support that need to be carried out by regional heads.
Tito added that this circular will be a guide for regions in preparing activities, programs, and the budget needed. In addition, the active role of related regional apparatus organizations (OPD), such as the Health Office, Education Office, Village Community Empowerment Office, Communication and Informatics Office, and the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), is crucial in the technical implementation of this program.
To ensure readiness, Tito asked regional heads to immediately hold a special meeting to follow up on the program.
“This program not only increases public awareness of health conditions, but also allows the government to formulate more appropriate policies based on the community health map,” explained Tito.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, assessed that the PKG program has a large scale because it touches all Indonesian people. He emphasized the importance of support from all parties to ensure the success of the program.
“This program can detect diseases early and even prevent them. That way, treatment or handling can be done immediately,” said Budi. He also emphasized that the public does not need to worry about poor examination results, because preventive and treatment steps, including medicines, can be accessed free of charge through the Community Health Center.
Technically, PKG will be implemented in Community Health Centers and clinics for people aged 5 years and under and 18 years and over. For school children aged 6 to 18 years, the examination will be carried out directly by health workers at their respective schools. This innovative program is planned to be officially launched in February 2025.
With this program, the government hopes to improve the quality of public health evenly, while expanding access to free health services. The government is optimistic that collaboration between the central government, local governments, and the community will bring about major changes in efforts to create a healthier and more productive Indonesia.
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