Indonesia Evaluates One Year of Free Child Health Check-up Program

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesia's government has affirmed that the free child health check-up program which has reached 23.5 million children since February 2025 will not stop at the initial screening stage. The Ministry of Health stated that any health issues detected, ranging from cavities to risks of mental health disorders, must be fully addressed to prevent them from worsening in the future.

This point was emphasized during a public discussion titled "One Year of Free Child Health Check-ups (CKG): What’s Next?" held in Jakarta on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to evaluate the program's first year. The discussion was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the public health organization RCCE Indonesia and the humanitarian agency Wahana Visi Indonesia.

Evaluation results revealed a significant gap between the large number of children screened and the small number who actually received follow-up care. For instance, approximately 95 percent of toddlers identified as being at risk for tuberculosis have not yet undergone confirmatory testing.

Data also showed that nearly all secondary school students suffer from cavities, alongside findings of high rates of anemia and mental health issues among adolescents. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, highlighted that 30 to 40 percent of children have dental issues, urging primary healthcare facilities to provide actual treatment rather than just screenings.

Another issue raised was the lack of transparency regarding test results for children and their parents. Hasbi, a student participating in the program, admitted he never received his full health check-up results and ultimately had to undergo a tooth extraction at age 15 due to delayed treatment.

In response to this issue, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, emphasized the importance of sharing health data openly with families. She encouraged collaboration among schools, local governments, and communities to ensure that screening results lead to actual follow-up actions rather than remaining merely as statistical data.

As a corrective measure, starting in 2027, the program's success will be measured by the number of cases successfully treated rather than merely the number of children examined. The government has also pledged to provide free medication for the first 15 days to children identified as having at-risk health conditions.