The National Youth Service Corps-Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (NYSC-HIRD) has treated over two million persons across the country, since its inception in 2014, an official has said.
The Kogi State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Femi Oshungbohun, disclosed this at the launch of the first quarter of the initiative in Adankolo Community, Lokoja Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday.
Oshungbohun said the initiative aimed to provide free and quality healthcare to indigent persons in rural areas.
“The programme is a platform for contributing towards promoting the wellbeing of indigent persons at the grassroots, by granting them easier access to free healthcare,” he said.
He encouraged residents of the community and its environs to take advantage of the free medical services to receive medical attention.
According to him, the outreach is conducted quarterly to increase access for benefiting communities.
Oshungbohun thanked partners, guests, and the Kogi Government for supporting the programme, and commended Corps Medical Volunteers and Field Officers for their efforts.
He emphasised that the programme was expected to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas and promote the wellbeing of indigent persons.
The Assistant Director, Community Development Service, Kogi NYSC, Mr Emanuel Eko, said that the initiative targeted underprivileged rural dwellers, bringing healthcare to areas where metropolitan institutions are inaccessible.
“The turnout was satisfactory, despite the programme falling on a market day.
“We advise patients to keep their diagnosis and referral documents to avoid unnecessary expenses,” Eko said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme featured diagnosis, treatment, minor medical procedures, and referrals, as well as sensitisation on disease prevention and care.
The NYSC Medical Teams also provided free drugs, eye glasses, and other medical consumables.
Dr Osman Rahman, who led the medical team, said it would provide comprehensive services, including dental screening, hepatitis C testing, malaria tests, and screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and cervical cancer.
“We’re providing medication for various ailments, and our services are completely free.
“The team is also educating patients on disease prevention and management,” Rahman said.
The Madaki, Agbayi Community, Mallam Mahmud Abdulrahman, expressed gratitude to NYSC and the medical team, saying: “We thank God for this initiative.
“It’s the first of its kind in Adankolo, and we hope it continues to provide free treatment to our people.
“We appreciate NYSC for thinking of us, especially during this Ramadan period.”
(NAN)
