In the early days of his first term, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has already fulfilled one of his electoral pledges: launching card-based programmes aimed at bringing health, welfare and educational benefits to millions of Indonesians.

On November 3rd, Jokowi kicked off Indonesia Health Card (KIS), Family Welfare Card (KKS), and Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) programmes similar to welfare initiatives he launched previously as governor of Jakarta.

"This is not the end; it is just the beginning of efforts to improve people's welfare," Jokowi said at the Central Post Office in Pasar Baru, Jakarta, where he launched the new nationwide card programmes.

"Each card will have different functions and targets. We will do our best to improve our citizens' welfare," he added.

All in the cards

Each type of card has specific functions to assist Indonesians who qualify for it.

The Health Card will help people cover medical expenses, officials say. The Family Welfare Card will help households struggling to make ends meet cover inflated costs for essential items. And the Smart Card will increase educational access for qualifying children and teenagers by providing funds to cover expenses such as books and school uniforms, according to officials.

Approximately 88.1 million impoverished Indonesians will receive the Health Card. Every month, each person will get Rp. 19,225 ($1.60) which they can spend toward medical bills.

"It definitely helps me to make sure that I can get the care I need, especially when I am getting older and need more health care. I hope the government will also expand its services for many others in need," Jakarta resident and card recipient Rukmianti Bekti, 50, told Khabar Southeast Asia.

The Family Welfare Card will benefit 14.5 million citizens, by giving eligible recipients Rp. 400,000 ($33) in credit every two months.

"The KKS is aimed at balancing inflation, especially for those who live in poverty ," Puan Maharani, the co-ordinating minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs, told Khabar.

"For example, when the gas price is increasing, all the basic needs are usually increasing as well. So this card can be used for helping with the price hikes," she added.

Finally, as many as 24 million primary and secondary students stand to benefit from the Smart Card programme. Each elementary student will receive Rp. 225,000 ($18) per semester for their education, compared with Rp. 375,000 ($31) per semester for middle schoolers and Rp. 500,000 ($41) per semester for senior high or vocational school students .

"It is part of my dream to get a good education," student Hempri Wibowo, 12, told Khabar. "I want to study hard so in the future, I can be responsible for myself and help my parents. Thank you, President Jokowi ."