Indonesia launches $248m free health screening to prevent early deaths

Indonesia launches $248m free health screening to prevent early deaths
A doctor performs an otoscopy on an elderly man's ear during a free medical check-up for the public at the Mampang Prapatan government-run healthcare centre in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb 10.
PHOTO: Reuters

JAKARTA — Indonesia launched an annual free health screening on Monday (Feb 10), a 3 trillion rupiah (S$247.83 million) initiative to prevent early deaths that the country's health ministry said was its biggest ever undertaking.

Under the programme, all Indonesians will eventually be entitled to a free screening on their birthday, the ministry said. The screening, which is not mandatory, includes blood pressure, tests to determine the risk of heart problems or stroke, and eye tests, the ministry said.

The programme is initially targeting under-sixes and adults aged 18 and over, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told Reuters last week.

The leading causes of death in the world's fourth most populous nation include stroke, heart disease, and tuberculosis, data from the World Health Organisation shows.

Budi said the 3 trillion rupiah allocation for the programme was about 1 trillion less than originally planned after President Prabowo Subianto ordered budget cuts to help fund election promises, including giving free meals to school children.

At a health centre in Jakarta on Monday, about 30 people had signed up for the screening on the first day.

Teacher Ramika Dewi Saragih said she underwent checks on her breasts, cervix, eyes, and more and was not apprehensive. "I was really looking forward to this," the 33-year-old said, adding that more people should take up the opportunity.

A health ministry spokesperson said the target for the checks this year was 100 million people.

Budi said the programme was intended to promote preventive care as Indonesians tended to check for illnesses only when they already had them.

"Our culture is checking when we're already sick ... that cuts closest to the grave," he said.

He said the programme was the biggest the ministry had ever undertaken, surpassing Covid-19 vaccinations.

Budi added the screening, which is to be rolled out at more than 20,000 health centres and clinics, also includes mental health tests to determine signs of depression or anxiety.

Researchers at the University of Indonesia's Economic and Social Research Institute warned the programme could risk burdening the country's already-strained local health centres, citing uneven distribution of drugs or doctors.

Read Also
Indonesia health programmes with USAID on hold, minister says
asia
Indonesia health programmes with USAID on hold, minister says

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    'Why do such dangerous things': Video from MRT track circulates online, SMRT lodges police report
    'It was very disheartening': Jetstar Asia cabin crew received news of closure while preparing for flight
    $52k bid for clinic space: Young business owners react, raising concerns over rising rent
    $55k dream renovation turns into nightmare; contractor borrows money from homeowner
    Stars harassed: Jungkook's house almost broken into by woman, chauffeur sells Orm's personal info to fans
    Pamper yourself on your next shopping trip with these exclusive deals
    Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open
    JB road rage incident: Singaporean man pleads guilty, fined $2,770
    'Overwhelming response': Less than 2,000 books left after Yale-NUS adoption drive, June 14 fair open to public
    Pop Mart's new Labubu collection, inspired by convenience store food, to launch on June 13
    'You got yourself a customer for life': Woman receives surprise gifts from SIA crew to celebrate her pregnancy
    Durians for $1.95 at FairPrice annual fair this June

Singapore

Singapore
    • Jetstar Asia ceasing operations: Passengers scramble to seek refunds, travel plans up in limbo
    • Man returns stolen Jinro toad statue to restaurant after CCTV footage emerges
    • Singapore and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail to swop land plots near Botanic Gardens
    • Maids working in households with kids must have immunity against measles: MOM
    • No significant impact to travellers after Jetstar Asia closure, say analysts
    • SG60 NDP to see largest number of marching contingents at Padang in over 30 years
    • Singaporean woman given 6 months’ jail in Taiwan for stalking singer, threatening her online
    • Police take down over 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore in joint operation with Interpol
    • Students must be more critical, discerning: Experts weigh in on online peer-tutoring channels
    • More seniors to benefit as 3 local banks recognise CPF Life payouts as income proof for credit card applications

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'Everyone looked at us with pitiful eyes': BTS' Jimin and Jungkook share funny military experiences
    • Put their logo and priced it 10 times higher: Netizens upset exact copy of Enhypen's merch available cheaply on Taobao
    • 'I'm going to die at this rate': BTS' RM recalls struggling with insomnia and self-doubt during military service
    • RM and V discharged from military service, Hybe headquarters decorated for BTS' return
    • Sabrina Carpenter to release album titled Man's Best Friend on Aug 29
    • Ryan Lian reveals rocky 4 months, including grandma's death and 'eating huat kueh left out for prayer rituals'
    • Harvey Weinstein convicted of sex crime amid contentious jury deliberations
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson dies at age 82
    • R. Kelly files motion to be released from prison, alleging his life is in danger

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • A taste of home: Burmese friends open cafe in Bras Basah selling authentic Myanmar cuisine
    • 'I'm doing all this from my heart': Senior volunteer on his love of helping the community for almost 30 years
    • Unable to bear children, she proposed annulment of marriage so he could start a family. He chose love
    • Jurassic World, inflatable playgrounds and more: Family-friendly events and activities this June holiday
    • BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite
    • Restaurant Labyrinth to have 2-day collaboration with Culinary Class Wars' Choi Hyun-seok
    • Honda Freed review: Understated small MPV with plenty of plus points
    • Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Pack review: Sporty electric SUV that's big in performance and price
    • McDonald's and Tokidoki to release limited-edition collectible charms from June 12
    • Hello, oppas: South Korea's steamy musical Wild Wild is back in Singapore this June

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo
    • Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible
    • EU and US authorities take down malware network
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Air India disaster is first fatal Boeing 787 accident
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (June 2025): Blackpink Visa presale, Lilo & Stitch Hawaii vacation, up to 50% off flights and more
    • World Bank cuts global growth forecast as trade tensions heighten uncertainty
    • Queenstown 5-room loft breaks national HDB record at $1.65m
    • The biggest misconceptions about buying property in Singapore's CCR in 2025
    • 9 best personal loans in Singapore with lowest interest rates (June 2025)
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (June 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.45%
    • SG60 Baby Gift: What to expect if you're expecting
    • The surprising reasons some Singaporean buyers are choosing smaller condo units (even when they can afford more)

Latest

Latest
  • Air India plane crash: Reactions from across the world
  • Daily roundup: Police take down over 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore with Interpol — and other top stories today
  • At least 30 killed as Air India plane with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad
  • Islamic State reactivating fighters, eying comeback in Syria and Iraq
  • China-backed militia secures control of new rare earth mines in Myanmar
  • Wars now displace over 122 million people as aid funding falls, UN says
  • Australian accused of mushroom murders denies poisoning lunch as cross-examination ends
  • Austrian neighbours of school shooter recall withdrawn young man
  • Musk backtracks on Trump criticism after White House outreach

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • 2 women arrested for theft at Changi Airport transit area within an hour
  • 40 Singaporeans going on 'Single's Inferno' trips to Japan to find love, minus the cameras
  • Mum of 6 who juggles 3 jobs starts free breakfast club for children in Ang Mo Kio
  • Government official impersonation scam: Syndicate received gold bars worth $500k, cash from victims
  • Queues at VEP application centres in Singapore, JB after news of enforcement from July 1
  • Wrong food delivery: Man 'feels unsafe', calls police
  • Malaysian woman apologises to 11-year-old daughter for 'only' spending $300k on her birthday
  • Boy, 4, caught smoking under a Bangkok bridge sent to government-run shelter
  • 'I feel incredibly honoured': Drum major who dreamed of role as teen leads Singapore Police Force Band in centennial celebration
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.