Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Health has added screenings for scabies, leprosy, and yaws to the nationwide Free Health Check (CKG) program.

"Several screenings have been added based on the prevailing disease patterns and findings," the ministry's Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment, Lucia Rizka Andalusia, said at Cilandak Community Health Center, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

These additional screenings complement the existing CKG screenings, which previously already included blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function, cholesterol, electrocardiogram (ECG), as well as eye, ear, dental, and mental health screenings.

As an early detection measure, Andalusia encouraged the public to participate in the screening program on a regular basis every year.

She noted that to make the program more accessible, health screenings can be organized where people go about their daily lives, such as workplaces and schools.

She further explained that through the CKG program, people can detect diseases earlier and will be directed to treatment.

"For instance, if someone is found to have high blood pressure, they are immediately directed to consult with a clinic and provided with medication if necessary," she remarked.

The Indonesian government started the CKG program as one of its flagship programs on February 10, 2025, to shift the approach from curative to preventive care in order to improve overall public health.

The health screening services started at community health centers (puskesmas) for the general public and then expanded to schools starting from August 4, 2025, to directly target students.

With a target of reaching the entire Indonesian population of about 280 million citizens, the health screening program is one of the largest health programs in the world, operating on the principle of leaving no one behind.

As of December 2025, the program has reached over 70 million participants across the country.

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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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