Indonesia Marks Major Historic Shift to Preventive Healthcare for 280 Million People
Oru Leonard
Jakarta- As Indonesia enters its 80th year of independence, the nation embarks on a groundbreaking healthcare initiative. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the Cek Kesehatan Gratis (CKG) program—offering free medical check-ups for all Indonesians—officially launched on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Chief of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Hasan Nasbi said that this is by far the largest state-funded, fully subsidized health program Indonesia has ever introduced.
CKG is accessible to everyone, from healthcare workers to farmers, fishermen and laborers, startups and media personnel, from infants to elderly. CKG Participants will undergo blood
pressure measurement, body mass index (BMI) calculation, cholesterol level check, blood sugar level (glucose) test, height and weight measurement, eye and mouth and tooth checks, blood tests, and other basic physical as well as mental health examinations.
“We are eliminating barriers to access preventive healthcare services, such as check ups.
Residents participating in the Cek Kesehatan Gratis (CKG), Free Health Check-up program at Puskesmas
Tanjung Priok, Jakarta (10/2).
By detecting early, we are building a positive and healthier behavior and cutting household costs for treating sick family members,” he said while overseeing the start of the program at Wanakerta Health Center, West Java. Nasbi affirmed the program’s long-term vision in achieving Golden Indonesia 2045. “After initiating the first flagship program Free Nutritious Meals, aims to serve some 83 million, this is the second quick win of Prabowo-Gibran’s administration targeting the whole 281 million citizens, the size of half of ASEAN or EU population, as recipients,” he explained.
Dubbed as The Birthday Day Gift from the State, the services are given to those who
celebrate their birthdays. Through Satu Sehat mobile app, Indonesians will receive
notifications to redeem their gift to the nearest government health clinics in the form of free health checks. In Indonesia, such services can cost an even USD100 if done at private
The initiative has earned global recognition, with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus applauding Indonesia’s commitment to preventive healthcare.
A citizen undergoing an eye check
As many as 19 Government ministers actively monitored the rollout at various community health centers across Jakarta, West Java and East Java.
Deputy Minister of Education, Technology, and Higher Education, Stella Christie, who
underwent a check-up at Cakung Health Center, encouraged students and educators to embrace the program. “Health checks should become a habit. It’s free, quick, and well-organized,” she noted. Meanwhile, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin thanked everyone involved in promoting CKG, saying that early detection makes it possible for Indonesia to record longer life expectancy.
PCO Spokesperson Philips J. Vermonte said CKG is a game-changer, shifting focus from expensive treatments to affordable prevention. It places Indonesia on the same footing as other developed nations that promote Universal Healthcare.
“We urge all Indonesians to participate—this is a national effort for our collective
well-being, our collective effort to achieve developed nation status in 2045,” Philips
concluded.
Cover Photo Caption: Presidential Chief of Staff, AM Putranto, presenting balloons as souvenirs to residents who participated in the Free Health Check-up program at Puskesmas Tanjung Priok, Jakarta (10/2).
Source: Embassy of Indonesia, Abuja.
