Indonesia has launched a $183 million health screening initiative aimed at preventing early deaths, marking the largest such program ever undertaken by the country’s health ministry. The program, announced last Monday, is an annual initiative with a total budget of 3 trillion rupiah. It will offer free health screenings to all Indonesians on their birthdays, though participation is voluntary. These screenings include checks for blood pressure, tests for heart disease or stroke risk, and eye exams.
Initially, the program targets children under six and adults aged 18 and above, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The program aims to address the leading causes of death in Indonesia, including stroke, heart disease, and tuberculosis, as identified by the World Health Organization.
The initial budget for the program was 4 trillion rupiah, but this was reduced by 1 trillion after President Prabowo Subianto ordered budget cuts to fund other election promises, such as providing free meals for school children.
On the first day of the screening, about 30 people in Jakarta signed up. One participant, teacher Ramika Dewi Saragih, expressed her enthusiasm, noting that she underwent several checks and encouraged more people to take advantage of the offer. The health ministry aims to screen 100 million people this year.
Minister Budi emphasized that the program is intended to promote preventive care, as many Indonesians typically seek medical help only when they are already ill. He stated that the program surpasses even COVID-19 vaccination efforts in terms of scale. Additionally, the screenings will also include mental health assessments for signs of depression or anxiety.
However, researchers at the University of Indonesia’s Economic and Social Research Institute have raised concerns that the program could put a strain on the country’s local health centers, given the uneven distribution of resources like medicines and healthcare professionals.
