The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), together with the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT), officially strengthened cross-sector cooperation through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Jakarta on Monday (7/6/2026). This strategic step was taken to ensure primary healthcare services reach the deepest layers of society down to remote villages and hamlets.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that public health is a main pillar of village development. According to him, the government is no longer focusing solely on curative aspects or medical treatment, but is also prioritizing preventive and promotive actions. This collaboration involves the active participation of village governments in supporting national programs, such as free health checkups, stunting interventions, tuberculosis control, and optimizing the function of Posyandu (Integrated Health Posts) across the nation.
The scope of this partnership includes the integration of village health data, strengthening of Village/Sub-district Health Service Units (UPKD/K), and increasing public health literacy regarding healthy lifestyles. Currently, the government possesses a massive healthcare infrastructure, backed by more than 10,000 Puskesmas (Community Health Centers) and 1.5 million health cadres spread across various regions.
Echoing the Health Minister, Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto highlighted the urgency of this cooperation for villages that are still classified as disadvantaged. He stated that the future utilization of village funds will be optimized to support more targeted public health programs. The main focus for these funds includes accelerating stunting reduction and providing more adequate basic health support facilities.
Secretary General of Kemenkes, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, added that this memorandum of understanding is a renewal of a previous cooperation. The integration of these programs is expected to answer the geographical challenges and diverse village conditions in Indonesia, making public healthcare far more structured and effective for local residents.
