SEAToday.com, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ministry of Health is set to roll out a new initiative in 2025, offering free health checkups for all citizens on their birthdays. This program, which the government sees as a special "birthday gift," aims to promote early disease detection and preventive healthcare based on age groups.

According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who spoke at a recent meeting with the House of Representatives, the screenings will focus on identifying health issues specific to each age category. The program differs from the current National Health Insurance (JKN) screenings, which cover 14 specific diseases, by tailoring tests to various life stages to improve early detection and reduce health risks and complications.

Age-Specific Screening Categories

• Toddlers: Screenings for congenital conditions, like hypothyroidism, are designed to catch and treat issues that can prevent disability or death if detected early.
• Adolescents (under 18): Tests will include screenings for obesity, diabetes, and dental health, addressing common health concerns in children and teens.
• Adults: Screenings will focus on cancers such as breast and cervical cancer in women and prostate cancer in men, addressing major causes of mortality in Indonesia.
• Elderly: Health checks will include tests for Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and other age-related conditions.

How to Access the Service

The screenings will be available at local community health centers (Puskesmas) and schools, depending on the age group. Citizens celebrating their birthday can access the service by visiting a nearby health center with valid identification. Health officials will verify the data through a database managed by the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) to facilitate the process.