Indonesia Spends Rp4.7tn on Free Health Checks Program
The government spends a budget of Rp4.7 trillion for the free screening or health check program slated to start in February 2025.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has allocated a budget of Rp4.7 trillion to implement a free checks program starting in February 2025. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the total budget will be divided between the state budget (APBN) and the regional budget (APBD).
The minister explained that the Rp3.4 trillion will be distributed through the state budget. The remaining Rp1.3 trillion will be distributed through the regional budget. "So each district has its budget. Later, it will be channeled to the Ministry of Health for implementation in public health centers (puskesmas)," Budi said in a media meeting held at his office in South Jakarta on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
At the same time, the Health Ministry's Director General of Public Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, explained that the budget for the free health checks program has been set since last year.
According to Maria, the initial budget was only about Rp1.4 trillion. It was only during the administration of President Prabowo Subianto that the program received additional funding, totaling Rp4.7 trillion.
The free health checks program will be officially launched in February this year. Tebet Community Health Center will be the starting point for the launch of the program that targets a total of 280 million Indonesians.
Previously, Minister Budi Gunadi said that the Ministry of Health has coordinated with President Prabowo who will determine the exact date of the implementation of the health screening program. "We have reported the free health screening program to the president. The plan is in February. Later, the time will be determined by the President," Budi said when met at his office on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
In general, three components will be checked through the free health screening program, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fat or cholesterol. Budi said the screening is aimed at preventing diseases that cause the highest mortality rate in Indonesia, namely stroke and heart disease.
The public is advised to keep their healthcare insurance or BPJS (Social Security Administration Agency) membership active status. This is to facilitate the treatment system if there is a disease that needs to be treated in the service.
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