A girl, accompanied by her guardian, approached a registration counter next to the health center's gate to receive her queue number. The security staff tending to her would then place a yellow band on her wrist, marking her as a recipient of a gift bestowed by the state.
Before leaving for her free health check-up (cek kesehatan gratis/CKG) in the building, she struck a pose like a bodybuilder in front of a row of cameras.
Shortly after, a woman also registered on the counter, receiving a green band on her wrist. She would then undergo a similar process of free health check-up offered by health personnel wearing cute headbands that made the scene even more festive.
The woman, Hikmah, 43, is a Cakung resident who celebrated her birthday in January. She learnt about the program on social media and decided to participate in it. Hikmah's eyes gleam with enthusiasm and awe as she recounts her experience.
She highlighted the efficiency, practicality, and thoroughness of the process, which took only 30 minutes from the moment she registered to the completion of the tests.
The tests she took ranged from blood sugar tests and hearing and sight examinations to IVA and breast cancer exams. Found to be healthy, she did not need to undergo further examinations.
Rofiqoh, 59, another Cakung resident, echoed the same sentiment. The thoroughness was evident in the extra tests she had to take, such as an EKG and urine test, as she has hypertension. Although the time Rofiqoh spent was longer due to the additional testing, she was amazed by how well-organized the entire process was.
She noted the fairly easy registration process and access to test results via SATU SEHAT Mobile.
Both women hope that everyone can enjoy this wonderful gift.
People of various demographics are in for this service, from children to the elderly. Given the varying circumstances of the patients, there are bound to be some people facing issues with registration. Some have no smartphones, while some are technologically challenged. There was even a case where the patient had no internet data package.
Thankfully, the Cakung Public Health Center has foreseen this, and the staff is capable of assisting participants facing troubles. Moreover, Junaidah, the Head of the Cakung Public Health Center, stated that the free health check-up schedule does not interfere with the usual services offered there.
Junaidah is considering adding more slots for free health check-ups, as the government-allotted quota of 30 fills up quickly.
Junaidah urged people to utilize this opportunity, as prevention is cheaper than treating diseases when they become catastrophic.
A very belated, happy, and healthy birthday
Akin to all those making use of the facility, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie, whose birthday was on January 11, registered on the counter, was given a wristband and underwent some tests. She is still eligible for the free check-up, as the service premiered within a month of her birthdate.
After the exam and media interview, the staff of the public health center and the gathering of people would begin to sing Jamrud's "Happy Birthday" to Stella. A blast of confetti followed, showering the deputy minister and adding to the fun.
She took her time highlighting the program's purpose, which is to change the current national health approach from a curative to a more preventive one. This shift could significantly reduce the money spent by the state and individuals on treating catastrophic diseases.
This change in mindset begins with a free health check-up.
In particular, she also stressed the need for nine million Indonesian university students to partake in this service in order to build awareness of their health and adopt preventive health approaches, as they often overlook their health, thinking they are fine just because they are young.
Still revolving around students and academia, the CKG, paired with free nutritious meals (makan bergizi gratis/MBG), is the state's effort to ensure that kids stay healthy for better learning and achievement, Expert Staff at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Tubagus Arie Rukmantara stated.
Arie remarked that the programs go hand in hand. While MBG aims to meet nutritional needs, CKG strives to build a healthy lifestyle and habits. He expects this to prepare a greater Indonesia by 2045, so it can stand proud among developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada.
For greater future human resources
On February 10, 2025, the free health check-up program finally came to fruition after a period of preparation. The program was one of the initiatives promised by President Prabowo Subianto during his political campaign.
His quick-win programs in the health sector, in addition to this one, include developing high-quality hospitals complete with advanced medical technology in regions that need them the most and eliminating tuberculosis.
Cabinet members observed the rollout of this CKG program in some public health centers areas. These included Coordinating Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono in Beji, Depok; Coordinating Minister for People Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar in Ciater, South Tangerang; and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo HR Muhammad Syafi'i in Pasar Minggu Public Health Centers.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, during his visit to the program being hosted at the Manukan Kulon Public Health Center, Surabaya, stated that the program aims to cover some 100 million people in its first year.
Head of PCO Hasan Nasbi emphasized that this is the largest health program ever in the history of Indonesia, as it is available for free to all 281 million Indonesians. Hasan stressed the importance of routine check-ups in order to detect risks to health earlier.
Spokesperson at PCO Adita Irawati emphasized that everyone is entitled to the best service, recalling the president's directive to provide the best, most useful services to the people while also ensuring their accessibility and practicality to the general populace.
Another PCO spokesperson, Prita Laura, cited data from the 2023 National Health Survey (SKI) showing that only one in five people is aware that he or she has diabetes. This highlights the critical need for such free health check-ups.
The program offers age-specific check-ups tailored to tackle preventable diseases that are the primary causes of death in each age group. It also includes screening for mental health, which is often overlooked, forgotten, and undiagnosed.
The initiative is such an eye-opener, helping individuals to become aware of their health status and encouraging them to adopt healthier habits as a form of self-love. Hopefully, by loving oneself through a healthier lifestyle born from the awareness, Indonesians can become more productive.
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Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
