By: Bambang Suwito )*
 
The government is increasingly demonstrating its commitment to improving public health through the national Free Health Check (CKG) program. This initiative is a concrete step towards realizing a healthier society through a preventive approach and early disease detection.
 
The program not only emphasizes service aspects but also raises public awareness of the importance of maintaining health from an early age. This effort demonstrates the state’s responsibility to ensure that every citizen has an equal opportunity to access basic health services that are free, easy, and equitable.
 
The Director General of Primary and Community Health at the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, stated that to date, 46 million people have participated in the CKG program at various health care facilities. The examinations include dental health, nutritional status, and body mass index measurements, which are key indicators of a person’s health. ¬†
Maria Endang Sumiwi also assessed that public enthusiasm for this program was very high, indicating increasing public awareness of the importance of regular health check-ups. This fact also serves as evidence that the government’s efforts to bring health services closer to the community are beginning to yield positive results.
 
The CKG program symbolizes the government’s commitment to strengthening the national health system through a promotive and preventive approach. With simultaneous implementation in 10,000 community health centers and 125,000 schools across Indonesia, this program demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding the reach of early disease detection.
 
This step is not merely a routine health check-up, but rather part of a broader strategy to build a culture of healthy living within the community. Through CKG, the public is encouraged to understand their own health conditions and be more aware of disease risk factors.
 
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin previously expressed optimism that by the end of 2025, this program would be able to reach more than 70 million beneficiaries throughout Indonesia. According to him, the success of the CKG program is inseparable from the synergy between various parties within the Ministry of Health and cross-sectoral support, including the active role of Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus.
He considered this collaboration to be a crucial factor in expanding service coverage, particularly in office areas and educational institutions. This approach is an effective strategy for reaching productive groups and students, who play a significant role in maintaining the sustainability of national development.
In addition to focusing on direct services, the Ministry of Health also ensures that CKG test data is used to formulate evidence-based national health policies. The Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, emphasized that the CKG program is not just about health checks, but also a major effort to shift society’s paradigm regarding the importance of health.
According to Aji Muhawarman, CKG is a national movement aimed at building collective awareness so that people start taking care of their health before they fall ill. Thus, this program is expected to reduce the number of non-communicable diseases, which have continued to increase in recent years.
 
The data-driven approach implemented by the government in the CKG program is a strategic step to strengthen more efficient and targeted health policies. Each examination result is a crucial part of the government’s efforts to identify disease patterns in the community and determine interventions appropriate to regional conditions. Therefore, policies resulting from this program are not merely discourse, but decisions based on facts on the ground and the real needs of the community.
 
The CKG program also marks an important step in public service reform in the health sector. With equal access throughout Indonesia, even people in remote areas can now benefit from free health screening services without being constrained by cost or distance. This is a concrete manifestation of the government’s desire to provide social justice for all Indonesians in the health sector.
 
Going forward, the biggest challenge in implementing this program is maintaining consistency and sustainability. The government continues to ensure that public enthusiasm remains high and sustainable. The success of the CKG program is measured not only by the number of participants examined, but by the extent to which the community adopts a healthy lifestyle as part of their lifestyle.  
In a broader context, CKG is not just homeworkIt’s not just a health program, but a national movement to strengthen national resilience through a healthy society. When people are aware of and care about their health, productivity increases and quality of life improves. This ultimately supports the government’s overarching goal of building a strong and prosperous Indonesia.
 
The government has provided the means and facilities, but the program’s success depends entirely on the active participation of the community itself. Maintaining health is not only an individual obligation but also a contribution to the nation’s future. With a spirit of mutual cooperation and collective awareness, Indonesia can move towards a healthier, stronger, and more empowered future.
 
)* The author is a Public Health Expert
