Media monitoring in early March 2026 revealed a health emergency related to a drastic spike in measles cases, reaching 8.224 suspected cases, placing Indonesia in second place in the world after Yemen. Beyond the threat of infectious diseases, there are serious warnings about adolescent mental health, marked by a rising trend of suicide attempts among students over the past seven years. These two issues pose crucial challenges to protecting the health of Indonesia's young generation.
From a strategic policy perspective, the government has set an ambitious target of reducing breast cancer mortality by 2,5% per year through the 2025-2034 National Action Plan. In line with efforts to ensure equal access, there will be no increase in National Health Insurance (JKN) premiums in 2026 to maintain affordability for the underprivileged. The government is also committed to securing the budget and tightening quality oversight of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) to prevent a recurrence of food poisoning cases in schools.
Long-term preventive efforts continue to be strengthened through a national hearing screening program that detects ear disorders in 1,8% of the total population examined, in support of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. As the holy month approaches, public health education focuses on Ramadan as an opportunity to quit smoking. Furthermore, people are encouraged to consume fresh milk during suhoor (pre-dawn meal) to maintain proper nutrition and keep them feeling full longer during the fast.
