The Indonesian government, led by the Ministry of Health, has officially introduced the Free Health Check (CKG) program for schoolchildren nationwide, including in West Java Province. This initiative aims to detect various physical and mental health issues among school-aged children at an early stage.
Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, personally oversaw the launch of the program at SD Prestasi Global in Depok. He highlighted that the program is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Quick Win agenda to provide fair, high-quality, and affordable healthcare for all Indonesians.
The CKG program is being launched simultaneously in 19 cities and regencies across West Java, targeting approximately 53 million schoolchildren in Indonesia for the year 2025. Unlike previous initiatives, this program has a more focused approach by specifically targeting elementary school students.
Prof. Dante emphasized the importance of age-specific screenings to ensure accurate diagnoses. By conducting the health checks at the beginning of the academic year directly at schools, the initiative aims to optimize coverage and efficiency.
The health assessments cover various aspects, including physical fitness, vision, blood pressure, and immunization status. First-grade students receive the MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine, while fifth-grade students are vaccinated against HPV as part of the national cervical cancer prevention effort.
Principal Mustopa of SD Prestasi Global stated that 843 students underwent health checks on the launch day, with 143 receiving immunizations. The school takes pride in being the first in Indonesia and the representative of West Java Province to participate in this national health check program for elementary students.
In addition to physical health, the government is also focusing on the mental well-being of students, especially at the junior and senior high school levels. For elementary students, mental health screening is conducted through questionnaires filled out by parents.
The CKG program is a collaborative effort involving multiple ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Education, civil registration authorities, and organizations dedicated to women’s empowerment.
