Peace of mind: A woman getting her blood pressure reading taken at a community health centre in Surabaya. — AFP
THE country launched an annual free health screening, a three trillion rupiah (RM821bil) 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, said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
The leading causes of death in the world’s fourth most populous nation include stroke, heart disease and tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organisation.
At a health centre in Jakarta yesterday, about 30 people had signed up for 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.
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 centres, also includes mental health tests to determine signs of depression or anxiety. — Reuters
