Pekanbaru Mayor Integrates Food Assistance and Free Health Checks

The Pekanbaru City Government has introduced an innovative public service that directly addresses community needs by integrating food aid distribution and free health checks into a single comprehensive event. This programme serves as tangible local support for President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto’s national agenda to strengthen food security while enhancing public health quality. Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho emphasised that this integrated programme is a strategic step to ensure government assistance extends beyond mere staple goods distribution, providing direct benefits to residents’ health aspects. In the initial stage held at Bukit Putera Field in Senapelan on Wednesday (15/4/2026), 1,900 residents received food aid. Before receiving the assistance, all beneficiaries were required to undergo free health checks through the Free Health Check (CKG) programme, allowing residents to leave not only with food aid but also knowledge of their health conditions. “This is not merely staple goods distribution. We want the community to receive more comprehensive benefits: food needs fulfilled, health monitored. This is service that is truly felt by the people,” stated Agung Nugroho. In 2026, the total number of food aid recipients in Pekanbaru reaches 63,243 people, a sharp increase from 18,986 recipients in 2025. Distribution is carried out in phases and targeted for completion by April 2026 through cross-sector collaboration with Bulog, the Health Agency, and the City Food Security Agency. Next week, the same programme will continue in Rumbai Subdistrict targeting around 8,000 beneficiaries. All recipients in Rumbai will also undergo free health checks before receiving aid. This programme is realised through strong synergy between the Pekanbaru City Government, Perum Bulog, the Health Agency, the Food Security Agency, and logistical distribution support from partner distributors. This collaboration ensures aid is delivered on time, to the right targets, and has broader impact. In addition to receiving food aid in the form of rice and cooking oil worth around Rp400,000 per package, the community also received packed meals and snacks to take home. The event atmosphere was warm and enthusiastic as residents could meet, dialogue, and directly convey their aspirations to the Mayor. One of the aid recipients, Mrs Yuni, expressed deep gratitude for the integrated programme. According to her, this programme is very helpful for the community, especially since besides receiving food aid, residents can also get free health checks. “I am very pleased; usually we only receive staple goods, but now we can check our health for free at the same time. So we also know our body’s condition. This aid is very beneficial for our family,” said Mrs Yuni with a touched expression. This momentum is also utilised by the Pekanbaru City Government as a means to directly absorb community complaints, from social aid issues, health services, to residential environmental needs. This integrated programme has received appreciation from the Forkopimda of Pekanbaru City because it is seen as aligned with the central government’s policy direction: delivering efficient, integrated services that directly touch the people’s basic needs. “When the community comes to receive aid, at the same time they also get health services, government attention, even space to voice aspirations. This is what we are building: service delivered with heart,” concluded Agung Nugroho.