NU and the Challenge of the Second Century: Making Health a Priority Programme

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), as Indonesia’s largest civil society organisation, is entering its second century. In the midst of contemporary dynamics, the organisation’s focus can no longer be limited solely to education (Islamic boarding schools) and cultural outreach. A pressing challenge is strengthening healthcare access and social safety nets for NU members and constituents.

The time has come for health to be positioned as a primary programme of focus—a health movement that is equitable and affordable. Often, healthcare issues within NU circles do not feel like a top priority. Where such initiatives exist, they remain centred on alternative and traditional medicine, which is not without merit, but the era of medical advancement moves rapidly.

Yet NU’s grassroots constituency—farmers, labourers, Islamic students, and Islamic teachers—are those most vulnerable to economic hardship when falling ill. Therefore, healthcare is not merely a biological matter; it is an issue of human dignity. Strengthening equitable and affordable healthcare access must shift from marginal discourse to a primary objective for the organisation’s members.

Historically, NU’s energy has been largely directed towards issues of national politics and formal education (Islamic boarding schools and schools). Certainly this is important, yet neglecting healthcare is a time bomb. Disparities in medical access in NU communities, particularly in remote areas, create acute social vulnerability.