The ministry's director general of primary and community health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, said on Friday that the program aims to prevent and handle the risk of diseases responsible for the highest mortality in each life cycle.
"There are different causes of death in babies, toddlers, teenagers, to the elderly. We have mapped out and responded to reduce these causes of death," she informed.
According to Sumiwi, the health check-ups will be divided into three categories, namely birthday health checks, which will be conducted on birthdays or within 30 days afterward.
Next, health checks will be conducted at school for those aged 7–17 years and special health checks will be organized for pregnant women and toddlers.
For the initial stage, the ministry has set 30 free health check slots per day at community health centers. The number may increase depending on the evaluation results and the readiness of the health facilities.
Pregnant women, people with disabilities, and the elderly will be prioritized for the service, Sumiwi added.
She explained that each age cycle will have its own examination package. Children under six years old will undergo eight types of examinations, including for thalassemia and blood sugar.
Meanwhile, those aged 18 years and over, or adults, will have access to 19 types of examinations, including health checks for prospective brides and grooms.
Then, the elderly will be able to get geriatric examinations, which will not be provided to other age groups, she added.
On the same occasion, spokesperson for the Presidential Communications Office, Adita Irawati, said that this step is in keeping with President Prabowo Subianto's campaign to provide free health services to all.
"In addition, the President also said that other countries had the same health approach. This format has been carried out in other developed countries," she added.
After its official launch, the Health Ministry will review the readiness of the program in several regions, such as Jakarta, Central Java, North Maluku, and East Kalimantan.
Related news: Health minister meets president to discuss free check-up program
Related news: Three regions in Papua implement free health check-up program
Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
