A cross-section of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have applauded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for providing free medical services for them.
NYSC Spokesperson, Eddy Megwa disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, October 23, 2023.
According to Megwa, the Etsu Piwoyi Community, Mr Tanko Lazarus gave this applause today on behalf of members of his community during the official flag-off of NYSC Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers held at Piwoyi.
He commended the NYSC Management and Corps Medical team for the kind gesture, adding that the free medical services would improve their overall well-being.
Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed who was represented at the event by the Director, Ventures Management Department, Prince Mohammed Momoh said the programme was targeted at ameliorating the health needs of the grassroots who had little or no access to quality and affordable healthcare.
He added that the Scheme would continue to ensure that the total well-being of the rural dwellers was given topmost priority by deploying high-quality medical personnel for free Medicare.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that our various stakeholders, both Governmental and Non-Governmental have contributed immensely to the success recorded by the Scheme”, the DG said.
In her introductory address, the Director, Community Development and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah said apart from NYSC’s contributions to national development, the Scheme had also helped in sensitizing communities on various ailments, causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
She added that Corps Members had also mobilised resources, and constructed cottage clinics, and renovated numerous health facilities across the country.
She disclosed that Corps Members had also launched campaigns in the mitigation of malaria, HIV/AIDS prevention, Guinea worm eradication, immunization against measles, polio vaccines and contributed significantly in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Scheme’s bold determination to make a meaningful impact in healthcare delivery commenced with the launch of HIRD in 2014 geared towards improving the well-being of rural dwellers.
The Mobile Clinic initiative was launched in 2022 and tagged ‘NYSC Mobile Healthcare Intervention’ which has helped to strengthen the impact of the programme by providing wider coverage for thousands of persons in rural communities in the FCT”, Zainab added.
In his goodwill message on behalf of the National Blood Services Commission, the Director, Blood Service, Dr Ayoola Olufemi commended the NYSC Management for promoting HIRD for the well-being of the populace. He urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of free blood donation while he pledged more support from the commission to NYSC.
Also in his goodwill address on behalf of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS, Dr. Opeyemi Yekini said, “health is a prerequisite for social and economic development. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with NYSC Medical team. I urge you to sustain this noble initiative”.
