ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – Indonesia launched an annual free health screening yesterday, a IDR3 trillion 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, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told media last week.
The leading causes of death in the world’s fourth most populous nation include stroke, heart disease and tuberculosis, data from the World Health Organization shows.
Budi said the IDR3 trillion allocation for the programme was about IDR1 trillion less than originally planned after President Prabowo Subianto ordered budget cuts to help fund election promises, including giving free meals to school children.
At a health centre in Jakarta yesterday, about 30 people had signed up for the 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.
