Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Health stated that the Free Health Screening (CKG) program addresses evolving health challenges and helps boost life expectancy, especially as today’s leading causes of death often stem from asymptomatic conditions.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono noted that in 1965, the average life expectancy in Indonesia was just 43 years, a time when public health was dominated by infectious diseases alongside limited access to medical facilities and services.
“Now, thanks to improved sanitation, better healthcare facilities, and enhanced treatments for infections, the primary burden has shifted from infectious diseases to degenerative or age-related conditions,” he said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Dante added that technological advancements have also caused a shift in public consumption habits. The rise of food delivery services has made accessing delicious food easier at any time, which he noted has contributed to Indonesia’s rising obesity rates.
He noted that degenerative diseases are an obstacle for Indonesia to increase its life expectancy, which currently stands at around 74.5 years.
“Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. People with hypertension may not know they have it, and people with diabetes may not realize they have diabetes,” he said.
A study conducted by the ministry in Jakarta shows that about one in eight people screened were found to have diabetes. Roughly 3 percent were already aware of their condition, while the remaining 9 percent had no idea.
The CKG program is expected to tackle these hidden health issues, driving down healthcare expenditures and fostering a healthier population to help achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
The ministry’s Director General of Primary and Community Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, urged the public to participate in the screening program every year to allow any conditions to be detected early.
She noted that out of 30 million non-hypertensive people who participated in the CKG program in 2025, around 9.2 million were re-examined in 2026, revealing that roughly 1 million had developed hypertension.
Similarly, among the approximately 36 million people without diabetes who underwent checks in 2025, 8.39 million were re-tested in 2026, with 188,000 testing positive for the condition.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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