According to director general of public health at the ministry, Maria Endang Sumiwi, all community health centers can carry out the initial examination, for example, checking blood sugar and HB levels.
However, only 40 percent to 50 percent of the centers can conduct further examinations, for instance, checking complete blood and kidney function, she added.
“For health centers that cannot provide such examination, the offices will refer the patients to the centers that can,” she informed while reviewing the implementation of the program at the Tanah Abang Community Health Center in Jakarta on Monday.
The SATUSEHAT mobile application can be used to check the locations of health centers that can provide follow-up examinations, she added.
Thus, patients can be referred to a health center with more complete facilities or a laboratory managed by the regional government.
Along with the implementation of free health checks, Maria promised that the government would strive to provide facilities in every health center in the country so that they all have the same standards and can provide public health examinations optimally.
“We have budget to complete all health equipment in health centers in Indonesia for the next three years. We are indeed targeting to complete everything,” she informed.
The free health screening program, targeting 280 million Indonesians, commenced on Monday with the goal of ensuring equitable access to health services for all.
Initially, free health checks will be offered at over 10 thousand community health centers (puskesmas) across Indonesia.
The government plans to expand the program to other primary health facilities, including private clinics partnered with state health insurer BPJS Kesehatan.
Citizens can register for the free health examinations via the SATUSEHAT mobile application or the Health Ministry’s WhatsApp call center. Alternatively, they can register in person by bringing their identity cards to a designated puskesmas.
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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
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