Minister Of Health: Free Health Checks Prevent People From Being Treated At Hospitals, The Budget Is IDR 1.7 Trillion

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin/ANTARA/Farhan Arda Nugraha)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the free health check program aims to detect an early decline in public health conditions. That way, they immediately receive treatment and do not require further treatment at the hospital (RS).

"We must carry out free health checks to ensure that we can detect them early if there are health conditions that decline from our society. This declining health condition must be handled quickly so that we can avoid people from having to be hospitalized," Budi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 12.

According to him, the initiation, which is one of the three acceleration programs (quick win) of President Prabowo Subianto in the health sector, is a priority that must be applied to all people of all age groups.

He said the public would undergo a different free health check according to their age group. Adult age groups will be examined for blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Then for the elderly group, the risk of cancer will also be detected, while the baby gets a hypothyroid and G6PD examination.

Budi revealed that the Ministry of Health received an additional budget of IDR 13 trillion, of which IDR 1.7 trillion from the additional budget will be allocated for the free health check program. The implementation of this program will be carried out in stages.

"We get an additional IDR 13 trillion, from our budget of IDR 90 trillion. We get an additional IDR 13 trillion, IDR 8 trillion for TB, around IDR 3 trillion for hospitals, around IDR 1.7 for screening," he said.

His party is also completing medical devices (alkes) at the puskesmas where free medical examinations are carried out.

"Now we are preparing, including (an medical equipment procurement assistance) from the World Bank, we are completing 10 thousand puskesmas with blood lab equipment," said Budi.