The Indonesian government has officially launched the Free Health Screening Program (Cek Kesehatan Gratis, or CKG), targeting communities across the country, including students in community schools (sekolah rakyat) and pupils in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). The program is set to begin in early July 2025 as part of a national strategic agenda to build a healthier, more resilient generation.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK) Prof. Pratikno stated that preparations are in their final phase. CKG will be implemented in schools overseen by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), and the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).

“This is why we need the support of the Minister of Health, as well as contributions from all stakeholders—from the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, the Minister of Religious Affairs, and the Minister of Social Affairs, to the Minister of Home Affairs. Since the program will also require internet connectivity and related infrastructure, we also need support from the Ministry of Communications and Digital,” Prof. Pratikno said during a ministerial-level meeting in Jakarta on Monday (June 3).

The first phase of the program will be rolled out in community schools in July, followed by schools under Kemendikdasmen and madrasahs in August.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that the initiative is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship quick wins and constitutes the largest health screening effort ever undertaken by the Indonesian government.

“This is the biggest program under the Ministry of Health and, in fact, the government overall, as it aims to reach 280 million people every year,” Minister Budi said.

For this year alone, the Ministry of Health has set a target of screening 53 million school-aged children. Since its initial rollout on February 10, 2025, via community health centers (Puskesmas), the program has already screened 11 million individuals.

“To hit our 53-million target, we must conduct screenings directly in schools, given the sheer number of school-age children,” Budi explained.

Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Prof. Abdul Mu’ti voiced full support, noting that the program could serve as a foundation for building healthier school environments.

“The results of these screenings will provide important input for us to create healthy schools,” he said.

Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono added that community schools are primarily intended for children from impoverished and extremely poor households, making early health checks critical before students enter dormitories.

“The President has instructed that if any child is found to be ill, we must ensure treatment first, so that once they recover, they can enroll in these community schools,” he said. This year, the government targets establishing 200 community schools serving a total of around 20,000 students.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Ribka Haluk confirmed that all provincial governments have begun preparations for the rollout. She underscored the importance of accurate identification to ensure the program reaches its intended beneficiaries.

“For children under 17, their official identification will be the Child Identity Card (Kartu Identitas Anak), which will be included in the data records,” she explained.

From the perspective of religious education, Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Amien Suyitno, affirmed that the CKG initiative will also cover pesantren and other religious educational institutions.

“Many pesantren do not have adequate health facilities. This program from the President is extremely strategic,” he said, expressing hope that the screenings will not only rely on sampling but comprehensively cover all pesantren.

Fifi Aleyda Yahya, Director General for Public Communications and Media at the Ministry of Communications and Digital, added that CKG is part of the government’s broader suite of initiatives, including community schools and the free nutritious meal program.

“As Pak Menko PMK said, all these efforts aim to create a generation that is healthier, more knowledgeable, and, God willing, will secure a brighter future for Indonesia’s children today and in the years ahead,” Fifi concluded.