Indonesia Unveils $183 Million Free Health Screening Program

Photo : Reuters

Indonesia has started a big new program to offer free health checks for all citizens. The program has a budget of 3 trillion rupiah (around $183.54 million) and is aimed at preventing early deaths. This is the biggest health project ever done by the country's health ministry.

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As part of the program, every Indonesian will eventually get a free health check on their birthday. These checks are not compulsory but include tests for blood pressure, risks of heart problems, strokes, and eye health.

The program will start by focusing on children under six years old and adults 18 years and older. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told that the goal is to catch health issues early. This comes because common causes of death in Indonesia include strokes, heart disease, and tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization.

The government planned to spend more on the program, but President Prabowo Subianto cut 1 trillion rupiah to pay for other important things, like free meals for schoolchildren. Still, the health checks remain a major health push for the country.

On the first day of the program, about 30 people signed up for the screening at a health center in Jakarta. Teacher Ramika Dewi Saragih was one of them. She said she got checked for her breasts, cervix, and eyes. She was excited about the program and said others should also take part.

The health ministry aims to offer screenings to 100 million people this year. Minister Budi said the program is about stopping health issues before they get worse. He explained that many people in Indonesia wait until they are very sick before they get checked.

“This program is about stopping problems before they start. Our culture is to get checked only when we’re already sick,” Budi said, pointing out that catching health problems early can save lives.

The health checks will be available at more than 20,000 health centers and clinics across the country. The program will also include mental health checks to spot signs of depression or anxiety.

Some experts from the University of Indonesia’s Economic and Social Research Institute have said the program might put pressure on local health centers. They warned that the healthcare system could struggle to handle the program, especially in rural areas.

Even with these challenges, the health ministry is determined to make the program a success. It is expected to be the largest health program in the country’s history, even bigger than the efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic.