General Secretary of IDAI Hikari Ambara Sjakti stated here on Friday that the program is a strategic measure to detect health issues, gauge children's growth progress, prevent diseases, and promote a healthy lifestyle through education.
"Overall, data collected from the checkups can serve as a reference for evidence-based health interventions and form the foundation for the national health policy," Sjakti stated.
Hence, he emphasized that the government should formulate ways to extend this initiative to children who have dropped out of school, both in urban and remote areas with limited healthcare access.
He cited data from the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, which indicates that more than 4 million children do not attend school.
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To maximize the benefits of the program, he said, any concerning findings from the checkup must be promptly followed up with treatment at hospitals or primary healthcare facilities. Children from underprivileged families must be supported to ensure they receive optimal care, he noted.
Additionally, infrastructure readiness is essential, as many regions have limited screening tools, such as scales, stadiometers, and hemoglobin counters—hindering follow-up on conditions such as anemia, dental issues, and mental health problems.
IDAI is also optimistic that CKG would include more types of screening, such as thalassemia tests, which are relatively expensive, to help reduce the long-term healthcare budget burden, he noted.
There is also a need to educate parents, guardians, and teachers, as many still believe health screenings are only needed when a child is already sick, rather than as a preventive measure, he remarked. He stated that this mindset must shift by promoting CKG as a tool for disease prevention.
Sjakti underlined IDAI's commitment to ensuring the program's success by advocating for its benefits and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders.
"Children's health is an investment in the nation's future," he stressed.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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