Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Free Health Check-up at Schools (CKG Sekolah) program plays an important role in fostering a healthier younger generation while also identifying potential future athletes from an early age, the youth and sports minister stated.
Minister Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo remarked during a visit to the program’s implementation at SMKN 26 Jakarta on Monday that this program is highly beneficial as it provides an initial overview of students’ physical and mental conditions.
“From this data, we can start to see which young individuals might have the potential to be nurtured into future athletes,” he noted.
Ariotedjo explained that the health data collected through this program will serve as a vital reference to better understand the broader landscape of youth health in Indonesia. It will also act as a database for identifying young athletic talent.
”This is not just about health; it also supports the athlete scouting process. We all have a data-driven basis to find promising young talents starting from school age,” he stated.
The health checks conducted under the CKG Sekolah program include screening for anemia, obesity, high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and mental health conditions.
The CKG Sekolah program is part of the national Free Health Check initiative launched on February 10, 2025, which has already reached over 16 million people. Starting August 4, the program expanded its coverage to include schools.
The Ministry of Health aims to reach 53.8 million students from about 282 thousand educational institutions nationwide to participate in this program. For students not yet covered by the program at school, services can be accessed through local public health clinics (puskesmas).
“If it has not been conducted at your school yet, please visit the nearest puskesmas. It is free and highly beneficial,” Ariotedjo remarked.
The minister also expressed gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto for his ongoing support of the national sports ecosystem, including infrastructure development, nutrition improvement, and the launch of dedicated scholarships for athletes and sports professionals.
“We aim to develop athletes who are not only physically strong but also smart and well-educated. These sport scholarships provide them broad access to higher education without limitations,” he remarked.
