JAKARTA: Thousands of Indonesians received a free health check-up Monday as the government launched an annual screening programme, an effort to improve preventative care and uphold a key election promise of President Prabowo Subianto.

Indonesians of all ages are now eligible to receive annual check-ups aimed at early detection of cardiovascular diseases, congenital disorders in children and other ailments, health officials said.

The scheme is among several social welfare pledges from Prabowo’s election campaign last year, including a free-meal programme launched last month to fight stunted growth due to malnutrition. Under the new health scheme, young children and adults will be eligible to receive a voucher, on their birthday or within 30 days, for a free screening at a community health centre. Students aged 7-17 can get a check-up at their school beginning in July.

“This is a birthday present from the country to all citizens and it began today,” health ministry spokesman Widyawati, who like many Indonesians only has one name, told AFP on Monday.—AFP