School health units link to free health check follow-up: Ministry

Indonesia’s Ministry of Education has announced a new initiative linking school health units (UKS) with community health centers (puskesmas) to provide continued medical follow-ups following free health check-ups for students. Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq outlined the plan during a statement released Saturday, emphasizing the integration of health services within the educational system to promote healthier lifestyles among young learners. The initiative builds upon the existing Free Health Check-up (CKG) program, which has already reached over 82 million participants nationwide. This year, however, the focus shifts beyond initial screenings to ensuring sustained care for identified health concerns. By connecting UKS with puskesmas, the government aims to create a seamless transition from diagnosis to treatment, leveraging the infrastructure already present in schools. According to Ul Haq, the UKS serves as a critical point of contact between schools and local health facilities. Schools will now have designated personnel responsible for coordinating health-related activities, ensuring continuity of care for students who require further attention after initial assessments. This approach not only strengthens the role of UKS but also aligns with broader efforts to instill healthy behaviors from an early age. The strategy includes promoting specific lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and self-monitoring of physical development. These initiatives are being implemented in tandem with the “Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children” movement, which encourages students to adopt fitness routines, consume balanced meals, and track their growth patterns. A notable example of this integrated approach is found at State Junior High School SMP 5 Bogor. The institution has long emphasized a culture of health, having previously secured first place in the West Java Provincial Healthy School Competition. Practices such as Segar (fitness exercises), Markisa (encouraging breakfast consumption), and Cermin Sehatku (self-health monitoring) are deeply embedded in its curriculum. To reinforce these values, the school employs 18 student ambassadors tasked with various responsibilities, including preventing stunting, advocating for health awareness, and combating smoking among peers. Additional roles encompass anti-bullying advocacy, promoting child-friendly environments, and providing peer mentorship programs. The collaboration between education and healthcare sectors marks a strategic shift toward preventive medicine and holistic development. By embedding health services directly into the school environment, authorities aim to improve both academic performance and overall well-being among students. The initiative follows similar efforts in other regions, such as Banten, which recently exceeded its health check targets and set benchmarks for tuberculosis detection. These regional successes underscore the potential impact of integrating health services with educational frameworks. Health officials and educators have expressed optimism about the program’s potential to reduce long-term health risks and foster a generation more attuned to wellness. Implementation across all participating schools is expected to begin shortly, with ongoing evaluations planned to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.